Message on the occasion of the 66th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka Admiral Thisarra Samarasinghe RSP VSV USP ndc psc High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia
February 3, 2014
Today, we celebrate the 66th anniversary of independence and the National Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. On this auspicious day, I have great pleasure in extending my heartiest greetings and best wishes to the Consul Generals of Sri Lanka in Sydney and Melbourne, all Honorary Consuls for Sri Lanka in Australia and other accredited countries, Sri Lankan community in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and citizens of Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
On the 04 of February 1948, Sri Lanka attained its independence from the British rule of 150 years and celebrates every year with pride and honour based on our resplendent historical, multi religious and diverse cultural heritage. Sri Lanka has now entered an era of peace and stands undivided, under one flag, committed to show the solidarity and unity as a noble nation. Our independence and honourable peace since May 2009 was achieved through many sacrifices of our leaders as well as our brave armed forces that were determined to unite the country as a one nation. Therefore, let us pay our respectful homage in remembrance of all those who dedicated their invaluable lives for the cause of independence and peace.
Sri Lanka is a nation with a great and ancient civilization. Our democracy is one of the oldest, stable and most vibrant in South Asia and which continues parliamentary democracy, with an 83 years old history. We are characterized by multi- ethnic, multi- religious and multi-cultural communities and our vibrant multi-party system accommodates ethnic and religious diversities. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy has been guided by non- alignment. Therefore, Sri Lanka enjoys close and friendly relations with all Member States of the United Nations. Besides, Sri Lanka proudly and successfully hosted the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November 2013. It was the first ever multilateral summit of this magnitude that was held in our country since the Non-Aligned Conference held in 1976. It is also appropriate to mention that Sri Lanka will host the World Conference on Youth in collaboration with the UN in May 2014, which will be the first in Asia.
Sri Lanka is perhaps among the very few countries in the world, which has been offering free education from Grade one to University level and providing free text books, meals, uniform material and scholarships to needy students and undergraduates. This gives ample opportunity for the children to pursue their education irrespective of their social or economic background. Therefore, the goal of universal primary education will be easily achieved by 2015. Our literacy rate is 98%. Further, Sri Lanka’s accomplishments in healthcare include the infant mortality rate of 9.4 per 1000 live births, highlighted by UNICEF as a success story.
Sri Lanka has now entered into a new era of peace and prosperity under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Mahina Rajapaksa. Three decades of brutal terrorism is now a closed chapter in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka now continues to improve its Human Development Indicators. Our GDP growth has recorded at estimated 7.2 percent in 2013, in line with the “Mahinda Chintana Vision for the Future”, the Government’s ten year Horizontal Development Framework. The per capita income has been increased from US$ 1,062 in 2004 to US$ 2,923 in 2012. Inflation declined to 6.7 percent and unemployment reduced to 4 per cent in 2012. Absolute poverty has steadily declined to 6.4 percent in 2013 from 15.2 percent in 2006. The aim of the Government is to achieve poverty free middle income level and to go beyond Millennium Development Goals by 2016.
Today our country is stable and experiencing economic revival, in an environment of peace and harmony. The judicious application of 5Rs, namely Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Resettlement, Reintegration and Reconciliation by the government has enabled the rapid transformation from the pre- conflict emergency phase to a development- oriented phase in order to transform Sri Lanka into a strategically important economic centre of the world.
The progress of our home-grown development strategy ensures the economic and social benefits reach every strata of society and improves the livelihoods strives for high economic growth, with equitable distributions of its benefits, amongst all our people in Sri Lanka.
The strategic geographical location of Sri Lanka, the political, economic and social stability, business friendly culture and the constitutional frame inspire and offer confidence to the investors. Sri Lanka has now become one of the most popular destinations for competitive investments in the services sector especially with regard to Commercial, Knowledge, Maritime, Energy & Aviation with the concept of five hubs referred in Sri Lanka’s Policy document “Mahinda Chinthana”.
The tourism industry has become a major component in bringing about the economic boom in the post-conflict Sri Lanka. The vision of Sri Lanka is to attract 2.5 million tourists annually, by the year 2016.
The deeply rooted relations we enjoy today between Sri Lanka and Australia were established way back as 1947. However, in the post- independence era, it was further strengthened by the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the both countries in 1949 and has since shared extensive bilateral relations over six decades. The recent visits of Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs and Hon. Namal Rajapaksa MP to Australia and the supportive stance with conviction taken by Hon. Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia and Hon. Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings in Sri Lanka in November 2013 are clear evidence of strengthened bilateral relationship and engagement between our two countries. I thank the government of Australia for the support displayed at the CHOGM and for the improved relationship.
The establishment of the new Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Victoria is another milestone in the growing political, diplomatic, trade and academic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia.
Trade, investment, tourism, education, people – to – people contacts, cricket are the some of the areas which further promotes our bilateral relations. The development assistance and education assistance offered by Australia are noteworthy and invaluable. The famous Colombo Plan and the new Colombo Plan of the new Australian Government offers invaluable services to our country, especially in the field of education bringing both communities closer.
Australia is an important trading partner for Sri Lanka both as a significant market for exports and supply of raw material and intermediate goods. There has been a significant increase in the total trade turnover between the two countries over the past few years and the highest two way trade has been recorded in 2011 with US$ 400 million. Sri Lanka’s exports to Australia have been increased to US$ 134.34 million in 2012, from the level of US$ 47.0 million in 2002 registering 285% increase in ten years. The confidence displayed by Australian investors in the recent times is encouraging and promotes Sri Lanka positively.
In the recent past Sri Lanka and Australia have been participating at numerous multinational and multi-agency forums in the countries of each other, reflecting ever improving international engagement between the two nations.
I am proud to mention that Australians with Sri Lankan origins have been contributing to the development of Australia in numerous ways for over six decades whilst reaping the best benefits provided by Australia.
As we celebrate the 66th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka, I thank Consul General of NSW, Consul General of Victoria, Honorary Consuls of Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide and the Sri Lankan community residing in Australia for their invaluable assistance which they have extended for many years. I invite the Sri Lankan community here to continue to support our Mother Lanka. The peace now enjoyed in Sri Lanka is a great opportunity for all to contribute towards the development of Sri Lanka. Therefore, I appeal in earnest, to all Sri Lankans living in Australia to join hands in harmony and to contribute your invaluable knowledge and thoughts to make Sri Lanka a safe, secure and a prosperous nation. National unity is the key to harmonious and sustainable development of Sri Lanka. Therefore, your total dedication, devotion, determination and commitment to promote and develop our Mother Lanka as true Ambassadors are of vital importance to promote national prosperity with dignity and strength whilst raising the Sri Lanka-Australia relationship to greater heights.
May the longstanding deep friendship between Sri Lanka and Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu grow from strength to strength.