Canadian Tamils for Peace and Democracy (CaTpad) wishes Happy Independence Day to all Srilankans and calls on President to abolish Emergency in Srilanka.

Canadian Tamils for Peace and Democracy wishes all the Srilankans living in and out of the country a Happy Independence Day. This day is a day of rejoice to all Srilankans and a day of remembrance to all the souls who fought and support to free Srilanka from foreign rulers. On this Day we take the pride of Saluting our National heroes who laid down their lives to free Srilanka from separatist country within. Their courage and braveness have lead to democracy in the North and East, Peace to entire nation.    

While we greet everyone on this National Day, we also like to bring to the notice of all Srilankans, after 63 years of Independence and after nearly 2 years of winning the separatist war, we are still celebrating our Independence Day under emergency rule. This would not add any greatness to the Nation or respect to the souls who fought for real freedom. Freedom that includes freedom of expression and freedom of speech which is denied to the majority and a few people enjoys and entitled. As the President mentions in his Independence speech, we are one of the Asia’s oldest democracy but fail to say we also becoming one of the Asia’s new Anarchy.

In addressing the nation on this Independence Day President has quoted great achievements of building bridges at Sangupitti, Kinniya, Manampitya, Mannar and katugastota and other projects. This is the duty of an elected Government, constitutionally elected by the people for the same purpose. While expanding in our economic areas, President have miserably failed in political areas and decreased our Democratic values which have made people to lose their faith in Democratic Governance. This failure has made all the success achieved so far by this Government a failed state. The great dream of unity and prosperity by the people of Srilanka has vanished by the secret efforts of the ruling government to bring back the same defeated separatist and Terrorist converting them as a political power in North. This has made all the sacrifice of the Nation to nothing.

President Rajapakse has pointed out the development will not be meaningful in the absence of a law abiding society but has forgotten and missed to give a law abiding Government, to the people of Srilanka which his Government has overridden all the rules and values of a Democratic Government. As the President has requested the Nation must change their attitudes for the future progress of the country, the people of this great Nation also request the President to change his attitude for the Democratic progress of the country. Bringing Independence Day celebrations from capital city to the village will not be meaningful until economy and power in the centre is decentralized and brought to the village level to be enjoyed by all the citizens of Srilanka. 

Canadian Tamils for Peace and Democracy request the President to Abolish the Emergency in the country which is free of Terrorism and Separatism and allow the people of Srilanka to enjoy the Democracy to the fullest, which was the ultimate aim of the scarified souls who laid their beloved lives for their country.  Therefore we request you once again to respect the verdict of the people of the country and fulfill the dreams of our National Heroes to come true. As you yourself have said “Winning Freedom is a challenge faced by every nation. Safeguarding that Freedom is even greater” Today on this Independence Day, every Srilankans are determined to safeguard their Freedom and will fight to the end, and promise to forward the Freedom to the next generations to come.