Colombo (News 1st) –  Issuing a message to mark the 72nd Independence day of Sri Lanka PM Mahinda Rajapaksa notes that the independence that was won on the 4th of February 1948 faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years. He notes that this is a clear example which demonstrates that achieving freedom and preserving it are two different matters entirely.

“When we look back upon the 72 years that have passed since we gained independence, we see some cause for satisfaction. Even in the midst of some’ serious challenges, the system of representative democracy based on universal suffrage has survived in this country. We are ahead of most countries in terms of indices relating to health and literacy. We have a free media and every citizen is assured of his personal safety.” – PM Mahinda Rajapaksa

The premier notes that the challenge before us today is to restore to this country the economic progress that was lost due to bad politics. He adds that the country is on the cusp of a golden era once again due to the patriotic enthusiasm and the desire to build a new country that has galvanized the people and especially the youth

PM Rajapaksa believes that people belonging to all ethnic groups and religions living in this country will come together as one, to participate in the task of taking this country forward into an era of prosperity.

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