Whether you walk around Colombo or beautiful suburbs around Sri Lanka you will find the national flag gently fluttering in the wind in almost all the houses, shops and business buildings. Our Proud history starts off with the Sri Lanka’s Independence Day which is celebrated on 04th of February to commemorate its freedom from the oppression and internal political authority from British rule. Thus on this significant day many Sri Lankans celebrated all around the country through flag-hoisting ceremonies, dances, parades and performances. Turning the pages of history there were many national struggles and bold actions that were made apart of the history in Sri Lanka. Thus every on Independence Day all of these are remembered and celebrated. The first week of February, the population of Sri Lanka commemorates the nation’s successive years of independence from colonial authority.
The celebration has been enthusiastically planned given that the 30-year war ended in 2009. Since then, celebrations on Independence Day have tended to place a greater emphasis on remembering the troops who gave their lives to free the nation from the enemy. Prior to the event day, military parades and particular traffic measures have become traditional. This year on 2023 of February 04th, Sri Lankans will commemorate the 75th anniversary of independence.
This time, however, the people may be dubious and unsure of precisely what the Government is “celebrating” as the country battles to exist amongst number of issues and challenges, including gas and fuel shortages, unscheduled power outages, growing cost of living and the currency crisis. Along with the unhealed scars from the deadly three decade-long civil war and multiple episodes of ethnic violence including the devastating Easter Sunday attack, natural Disasters have been one of the biggest hindrances to the country’s economic progress. In addition to the immediate effects of the economic instability, dislocation, and ethnic conflict on the economy, the nation experienced many waves of brain drain which will affect the future of Sri Lanka.
However the island nation is more than the prolonged setback, challenges Sri Lanka is well known for the beauty of its surroundings, great biodiversity, and abundance of naturally preserved resources, important historical significance, cultural wealth, and kind people. More than 19 million people live in Sri Lanka. Ancient kings of the island also left some of the most amazing structures, forts, and artifacts behind, which are now valued as national treasures and even included as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Additionally, Sri Lanka is well known for its illustrious oral and written literary traditions. Around the fifth century, writers in Tamil and Sinhala started recording historical events, religious stories, and secular topics. It most certainly warrants a second look in light of all of these benefits for Sri Lanka.
In contrast to many other nations in Asia and the rest of the world, Sri Lanka has a commendable feature because it generates its electricity from the various waterfalls that are scattered throughout the nation. It is also the oldest and most dependable power source in the country. In the country, there are nine additional hydroelectric power plants, with Victoria Dam being the biggest. Thermal energy, solar electricity, and wind power are other power sources.
When evaluating the country’s past economic development, it is important to remember that social and economic development began long before and after Independence. The Donoughmore constitution, which featured the universal franchise and was adopted in 1931, served as the cornerstone for the country’s economic and social progress. As a result of the resettlement of people in land development projects, food crops in the arid zone were revived, and rice and other food crops were produced in great amounts. Initiatives for social welfare went hand in hand with development. The main initiatives for social and economic progress must be acknowledged as having existed before Independence.
Due to Sri Lanka’s extensive cultural diversity, a wide range of artistic forms have flourished there. Traditional artistic works of the nation strongly resemble religious aesthetics. The booming contemporary art scene includes performance art, computer art, painting, and sculpture. The Historical ruins in Polonaruwa and sacred temples such as the Dalada Maligawa up until the present Nelum Pokuna Mawatha, or “Green Path,” where aspiring artists and students exhibit their works, located right across the National Museum on a daily basis. Sri Lanka’s unique creative arts are an inherent part of Sri Lanka’s ancient cultural heritage; the dancers, the music’s, the craftsmen all continue to contribute significantly to Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture.
Sri Lanka is also a vibrant society where all of its groups of religions and faith could live in harmony collectively, where everybody can engage their own religion, and where there would be liberty of thought and expression. Mosquitoes carrying the malaria virus plagued the island for many years. It was even regarded as one of the most severely impacted regions in the entire planet. The expansion of healthcare and free educational infrastructures and assistances as well as the eradication and preventions of malaria in 2016 and other emerging virus all contributed greatly to the economic and social development of the nation. Presently Sri Lanka has managed the health and safety aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic in a commendable manner. The country has acted swiftly to protect the health of its citizens, including vaccination of its citizens.
Sri Lanka cinnamon is used widely throughout the world, although not everyone who consumes it is aware of its Sri Lankan origins. Cinnamon has long been a highly coveted spice, with imports dating back to the Ancient Egyptians. The most well-known Sri Lankan tea is Ceylon. The flavor of this black tea differs depending on where it was cultivated. It is recognized as one of the best tea in the world and is popular for having high antioxidant content.
In Sri Lanka, there are many fascinating species, and if you’re fortunate, you might even see a leopard. In addition to elephants and blue whales, other animals that can be seen in the wild include water buffalo, sambar deer, grey hornbills, langurs, and sea turtles, to name a few of the three Asian elephant subspecies, Sri Lankan elephants are normally the biggest. There are currently many wild elephants in the nation, according to recent statistics. In the national parks of Yala, Udawalawe, Lunugamvehera, Wilpattu, and Minneriya, they are presently residing.
The southernmost region of the island, Mirissa, is where the majority of whale viewing takes place. In Sri Lanka, the prime whale-watching months are November through April or May. Additionally, it’s one of the few, if not the only country, where you may view both blue whales and elephants in the same day. The island is blessed with many natural resources and unusual fruits that are flourishing because of the regions presently preserved and curated tropical climate.
It will be common to ask ourselves these questions such as “where and how did Sri Lanka go wrong?” “Why hasn’t Sri Lanka achieved great heights?” it is also evident that we have been placed in this situation today because of many misguiding policy recommendations and corruption. However we as a Nation failed to ask over selves is what we have done to change Sri Lanka, to refer a famous quote that John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service for the Nation. “ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU – ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY”
For a brief moment the sense of unity was at its peak due to the shared economic turmoil and the opposition to the political regime. A vibrant energy among the young people was witnessed gathering in large group and chanting, singing, and making positive statements while standing side by side against all odds in the spirit of Unity which was missing for a very long time in our history. There was heartwarming image of all communities and faiths offering food items including buns, biscuits, and beverages were distributed by some people, while others go about picking up rubbish. Many national flags were brought and displayed in a sense of patriotism looking a young children placed close to their parents’ shoulders, holding flags it was a happy atmosphere. For all Sri Lanka, that was a time of renewal and hope. Not in our religious or racial uniformity, but in the shared principles that embrace and appreciate difference.
Wheelchair users and those with physical limitations made their voices heard they came from all social classes, all racial and religious backgrounds, and all facets of society to take part in the Galle Face demonstrations. We may have less money, but we have an undying moral richness and this can be used to strengthen our nation back. We can repair the bedrock of our nation. It is never too late be the change you wish to see in Sri Lanka take place. Sri Lanka was blessed with many unique feature and rich history which can be used to rewrite the past and move forwards into a prosperous island nation.
If all Sri Lanka use the same energy that was displaced during the Aragalaya, the nation will be able to change and gradually turn away the reliance on foreign loans, restructure trade deficits and mend the public debt/ foreign debt, seek better policy to assist the citizen from falling into added costs, and fiscal deficits that causes for a great concern. The nation’s social and economic infrastructure, administrative and economic reforms, modifications to investment climate, increased foreign investment, and most crucially, national harmony and peace, all play a significant role in the country’s future economic growth.
This 75th Independence day First and foremost, we need to reconsider why we celebrate it at all after many years. Ultimately, freedom from colonial domination is essentially a historical truth. Change the phrase from celebration to commemoration. Second, if we are to celebrate anything, it should reflect our ideals as a country and include a speech by the head of state assessing the previous year and outlining new objectives for the coming one. Despite the fact that we now identify it with both religion and culture, this event is not one of either. It is a political and social remembrance to build a prosperous nation. We need to reconsider these archaic customs, and set aside the social norms and stigma and lead by being a moral and ethical example to the future.
Hence this year let us proudly commemorate the 75th anniversary of National Independence Day along with the new reforming program for the ensuing next 25 years. Through bold policy decisions and practical measures, we can make numerous gains that allow the nation to regain respect and cordial relations with the rest of the globe. This must be our collective and significant accomplishment goal for our government and its foreign policy. Doors are once again open for positive and cordial interactions that have lessened political and economic pressures. The government and its citizens must diligently work to make Sri Lanka reclaim its center in the Indian Ocean and develop into a knowledge-based, fiercely competitive hub with a burgeoning social-market economy, as per the expectations of all of our people. Thus Looking to the future, Sri Lanka must prepare for the challenges of rebuilding lives and remaking its future. At this critical time, a renewed focus and commitment to develop human and capital development could support a smooth and resilient recovery. All of us should strive for these objectives to become institutional realities.
This post has been incredibly helpful in clarifying a lot of the questions I had. Thank you for providing such clear and concise information.