• Dinesh cites MR celebrating even during height of terrorism 

A nation that cannot celebrate its Independence does not have a future, claimed Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, adding that former President and incumbent Government Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa had ensured that the Independence Day was celebrated considering the nation’s future even in the midst of terrorist threats.

He made these remarks while speaking to the media on Wednesday (1) following a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna meeting.

“We salute and respect all war heroes who sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggles of our country. It is because of this that we are celebrating Independence Day despite many hardships and when most of the Opposition parties are asking that we refrain from celebrating Independence. A nation that cannot celebrate its independence doesn’t have a future. Even during the darkest times in our history in the midst of terrorist threats, Rajapaksa celebrated Independence Day. For whom? For the future of the nation. Therefore, we will celebrate Independence Day, and all arrangements have already been made for this purpose.”

In response to a query from the media pertaining to the Catholic Church’s decision to boycott the Independence Day celebrations, Gunawardena stated that the Government was paying heed to such opinions.

There has been a huge opposition from the public and some Opposition MPs against the funds allocated for the Independence Day celebrations with many calling for the Government to cancel the same.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, while noting that the country should show that it is able to celebrate its’ Independence, emphasised however that efforts should be made to minimise related expenses.