COLOMBO: Sri Lanka needs to correct its “mistakes and failures” and review its strengths and gains as a nation, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Saturday, as the country celebrated its 75th independence anniversary in a critical moment in which it is reeling under an unprecedented economic crisis.
The major Independence Day event was attended by foreign dignitaries, including Foreign Minister V Muraleedharan.
Wickremesinghe presided over the ceremony which included a military parade with a 21-gun salute.
The celebrations were held despite criticism from opposition groups who said the Rs 200million-cost events were a waste as the island nation continues to grip itself in its worst economic crisis since gaining independence.
In his message, Wickremesinghe he said, “Our 75th anniversary of independence from colonial rule is being celebrated at an extremely critical and challenging time in the country.”
“However, it represents an opportunity for us not only to review our strengths and gains as a nation, but also to correct our mistakes and failures,” he said.
During mid-2022 Sri Lanka faced its worst economic crisis since independence, leading to months-long public protests leading to a political crisis.
Shortages of basic necessities due to the forex crisis forced people to take to the streets demanding the resignation of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Last year, in April, Sri Lanka declared its first debt default in its history.
Muraleedharan said he was happy to represent India at the 75th Independence Day celebrations of Sri Lanka’s ‘near friend’.
“This milestone coincides with 75 years of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. India is always a reliable partner and reliable friend of Sri Lanka,” he tweeted.
Last year, India provided $3.9 billion in aid to Sri Lanka to deal with the economic crisis. New Delhi recently assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restructure the country’s debt.
Sri Lanka, which is seeking a $2.9 billion bridging loan from the IMF, was negotiating to get financial guarantees from its major creditors – China, Japan and India, which is the requirement for Colombo to get the bailout package .
Saturday’s Independence Day event was boycotted by all opposition groups who said it had no public mandate and was a burden to a public already hurt by the crisis.
They pointed to the shortages of food and medicines leaving people in poverty.
In the north dominated by the Tamil minority, black flags were raised in protest. The Tamils said they have been denied political freedom since the British left in 1948.
The Sinhalese, mostly Buddhists, make up almost 75% of Sri Lanka’s 22 million inhabitants, while the Tamils are 15%.
The city of Colombo has been placed on a tight security net with armed troops visible on the streets.
A protest sit-in organized by a group of protesters from last year’s months-long protest was broken up by police using tear gas at midnight. At least four protesters were arrested.
Police had obtained a court order preventing public protests anywhere near the Galle Face waterfront where the main celebratory event took place. About 29 people had been named in the court order to stay away from the main venue of the celebrations.
To mark Independence Day, 208 officers and 7,790 other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army were promoted. Presidential pardons were granted to 622 detainees.
In a message a day before the celebrations, President Wickremesinghe shared that efforts were underway for renewed economic development.
“There is a new economic and social reform agenda ahead of the country with objectives focused first on recovery and then on renewed development. It is imperative for us to unite in its implementation so that we can emerge with a high level of economic prosperity,” she said.
He promised that “extremely” difficult but vital decisions would be made to achieve the goal, which would be achieved with “courage and determination”.
“I anticipate the trust and support of you, the people of our country, in this effort,” added Wickremesinghe.
“On this historic anniversary, we all resolve to face this year’s challenges with extra patience and fortitude,” he said.
The major Independence Day event was attended by foreign dignitaries, including Foreign Minister V Muraleedharan.
Wickremesinghe presided over the ceremony which included a military parade with a 21-gun salute.
The celebrations were held despite criticism from opposition groups who said the Rs 200million-cost events were a waste as the island nation continues to grip itself in its worst economic crisis since gaining independence.
In his message, Wickremesinghe he said, “Our 75th anniversary of independence from colonial rule is being celebrated at an extremely critical and challenging time in the country.”
“However, it represents an opportunity for us not only to review our strengths and gains as a nation, but also to correct our mistakes and failures,” he said.
During mid-2022 Sri Lanka faced its worst economic crisis since independence, leading to months-long public protests leading to a political crisis.
Shortages of basic necessities due to the forex crisis forced people to take to the streets demanding the resignation of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Last year, in April, Sri Lanka declared its first debt default in its history.
Muraleedharan said he was happy to represent India at the 75th Independence Day celebrations of Sri Lanka’s ‘near friend’.
“This milestone coincides with 75 years of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. India is always a reliable partner and reliable friend of Sri Lanka,” he tweeted.
Last year, India provided $3.9 billion in aid to Sri Lanka to deal with the economic crisis. New Delhi recently assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restructure the country’s debt.
Sri Lanka, which is seeking a $2.9 billion bridging loan from the IMF, was negotiating to get financial guarantees from its major creditors – China, Japan and India, which is the requirement for Colombo to get the bailout package .
Saturday’s Independence Day event was boycotted by all opposition groups who said it had no public mandate and was a burden to a public already hurt by the crisis.
They pointed to the shortages of food and medicines leaving people in poverty.
In the north dominated by the Tamil minority, black flags were raised in protest. The Tamils said they have been denied political freedom since the British left in 1948.
The Sinhalese, mostly Buddhists, make up almost 75% of Sri Lanka’s 22 million inhabitants, while the Tamils are 15%.
The city of Colombo has been placed on a tight security net with armed troops visible on the streets.
A protest sit-in organized by a group of protesters from last year’s months-long protest was broken up by police using tear gas at midnight. At least four protesters were arrested.
Police had obtained a court order preventing public protests anywhere near the Galle Face waterfront where the main celebratory event took place. About 29 people had been named in the court order to stay away from the main venue of the celebrations.
To mark Independence Day, 208 officers and 7,790 other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army were promoted. Presidential pardons were granted to 622 detainees.
In a message a day before the celebrations, President Wickremesinghe shared that efforts were underway for renewed economic development.
“There is a new economic and social reform agenda ahead of the country with objectives focused first on recovery and then on renewed development. It is imperative for us to unite in its implementation so that we can emerge with a high level of economic prosperity,” she said.
He promised that “extremely” difficult but vital decisions would be made to achieve the goal, which would be achieved with “courage and determination”.
“I anticipate the trust and support of you, the people of our country, in this effort,” added Wickremesinghe.
“On this historic anniversary, we all resolve to face this year’s challenges with extra patience and fortitude,” he said.
