We have failed to realise the dreams of our freedom fighters to build a strong and united Nation. The silent majority watched in horror, whilst a great Nation with an ancient civilisation, steeped in one of the finest cultural and architectural heritages of the world, nurtured in the traditions of the noble Buddhist philosophy of peace, tolerance and love veered off into a terrifying era of ethnic, political and social violence. The people have now awakened to the call for peace and amity. The shrill screams of hatred and violence of the extremist few are being drowned by the sweet sounds of the multitude, calling for unity, harmony and brotherhood. We shall no more permit our people to be drawn down into the quagmire of jealousy, greed and bigotry.
History offers but a few opportunities to an individual or a nation, to reach up to the stars.
We have missed many chances. We cannot, we must not, miss this one last moment, rich with opportunity. May I predict with certainty, that this 51st year of independence will be the most decisive one for free Lanka.