INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted that although lives lost throughout the war can not be gained back, the earnings lost throughout
the economic war could be regained.The President also explained that the stability of political and territorial stability of a nation is the
best element to win over the financial war.President Ranil Wickremesinghe made this declaration while attending to the event held today (01)
at the Presidential Palace in Kandy to present the recognized service awards Vishishta Seva Vibhushana to 77 senior officers of the
Tri-Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force)
The award ceremony was arranged in combination with the 75th Independence Day events, the Presidents Media Division said.The Vishishta Seva
Vibhushana is an unique award and is awarded just to officers of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above in the Army and officers holding
comparable ranks in the Navy and Air Force who have actually served a minimum of 25 years of continuous service and holds an unblemished a
service record.In relation to the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 53 Army officers, 17 Navy officers and 7 Air Force officers were granted medals
throughout todays ceremony.The President also presented the 75th Independence Anniversary Commemorative Medals to 20 Tri-Forces
personnel.Expressing his views at the event, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated, Today we have awarded the Vishishta Seva Vibhushana
awards to those who deserve this Medal
These service awards were provided on the event of the 75th Independence Anniversary
I praise all the receivers of these medals today
I likewise extend my gratitude for your service.This occasion is the first occasion to be held to mark the 75th Anniversary of Sri Lankas
There is a reason to hold this event for the armed forces.National leaders of the past, led by the Hon
Senanayake gained flexibility for our country
Today, some act as though the nation immediately got independence
Flexibility was not acquired automatically.There were 2 countries that supported the Allies in Asia during World War II
One was China and the other was Sri Lanka
However, just Sri Lanka had a legislature which was elected by franchise.After appreciating the support given for the Second World War by
the former leader of the council Mr
Jayathilika and later on Hon
Senanayake, the British Prime Minister Mr
Winston Churchill said that Sri Lanka would be offered flexibility after the war on one condition, that India were offered liberty initially
That is how we got this freedom.During World War II, the Council of State decided to support the allied nations
In addition, Sri Lankan officials volunteered to support World War II.Mr.D.S
Senanayake valued the release and formed three militaries from those troops
If we supported the Second World War and acquired self-reliance, we ought to also honour the service of our 3 militaries during this
anniversary celebration.For the security of the nation, members of our security forces provided their lives in fight
Our Army was established throughout a world war
It safeguarded democracy over the world
The second war was to protect Sri Lankas unity and territorial integrity
Our militaries compromised their lives for that.We should keep in mind this outstanding contribution performed by our militaries as we
celebrate the nations independence as a republic
Therefore, I decided to host the first ritualistic event in connection with the 75th Independence Day for the Armed Forces.Our three armed
forces are now not only in Sri Lanka they work as a UN peacekeepers as well
In the future, we plan to increase the number of recruits for this peacekeeping force.We celebrated our 50th anniversary of self-reliance
while the nation was at war
We are commemorating our 75th Independence Day at a time when there is another conflict
It is not a fight in which we separately take a weapon and engage in combat
A significant financial battle is presently underway.The nations economy has now completely collapsed
Our countrys financial freedom will disappear if we dont reconstruct that economy and rescue ourselves from this financial obligation trap
If the economic liberty of the country is lost, political freedom is of no use
We can not give up to the economic powers of the world today
Structure this economy need to therefore be our priority.Make implies for individuals to live, and revive their lost sources of income
I understand the fact that many people are facing problems today
Some civil servant are dealing with a scenario where nothing of their wages is spared after settling their loan installations and taxes
All of us bear this pressure and we will have the ability to eliminate this pressure.I met the U.S
Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland today
She even more expressed the US Governments support for the continuous healing efforts in our country
Hence we have been revealed assistance by numerous countries.I think that throughout the next 2 to 3 months, we would be able to complete
this financial obligation restructuring process
The discussions with India and China have actually reached the final stage
When we reach the arrangement for debt restructuring from the International Monetary Fund, it would be accepted by the remainder of the
world.I believe that we would have a much better financial circumstance by the end of this year
At the same time, we would get an opportunity to provide some relief to all civil servant
We must drive this program forward and we are not in a position to leave it
If we are on the ideal path, we need to be strategic and just then success might be achieved.There is just one difference in between
terrorist war and financial war
Lives were lost those days throughout the terrorist war
Today we have lost the earnings
Thats the only difference
We can not offer a new life to those who lost however the lost earnings can be recovered
As a government, we are all devoted to restoring it under this program.I think that we can move forward reviving the financial flexibility
in addition to the political freedom at that time we won while safeguarding the territorial stability
State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff
Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Presidents Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (retd.) Chief of Defence Staff
Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Wikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Navy Commander
Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and officers of Tri Forces participated in the occasion.-- PMD
