Colombo (Fides Service) - This is a time of new hope for the island, a time to work for the good of the people to boost the economy. This was the core of a statement made on February 4, during a national Independence Day celebration by Sri Lanka's Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim leaders who agreed that there has been an improvement at the social and political level since a cease fire was signed twelve months ago, 24 February 2002, by the government and the Tamil separatist movement EELAM which put an end to almost twenty years of fighting.
Recalling the 55 years of independence from Gt. Britain, Anglican Bishop Duleep De Chickera reminded those present that "Independence, as we have painfully learned, is not freedom. It is the beginning of a quest for an ever-changing understanding of freedom. Early struggles for political economy soon led to the continuing struggle for economic freedom, freedom today includes human rights, minority rights, refugee rights and workers rights."
Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Thera leading Buddhist spoke on behalf of Sri Lanka's Buddhist community. "At this juncture when civil strife that wreaked dire consequences to the economy and life of the community has ceased and harmony is developing, let us all resolve to rally round together shedding all differences to achieve advancement in the economy, culture and life of the community" he said. Also Hindu and Muslim leaders encouraged their respective groups to work together for the good of the whole country. (Fides Service 8/2/2003 EM lines 19 Words: 260)