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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mahinda_R" data-source="post: 1338436" data-attributes="member: 60131">Sixty years is a small interlude to a country with a          history and civilization dating back more than 2500 years. Yet, this          60th anniversary of Independence has its own significance as it marks          the period since we achieved freedom after nearly half a millennium of          colonial rule, and made our mark as a free people in the community of          nations.          Sri Lanka has cause to be proud of her many          achievements in this period, in many of which she stands out as an          example to other countries in our region and the larger developing          world, too. We stand unique with the longest tradition of representative          democracy in Asia. As one of the first developing countries to promote          universal healthcare and education, gender equality and social          mobilization, we have been able to achieve exceptional socio-economic          indicators; way ahead of those normally expected of a country in the          lower middle income range, and today we are moving to achieving or          surpassing many of the Millennium Development Goals. In recent years we          have also seen a welcome rise in the per capita income of our people,          once again ahead of the larger engines of growth in our region.          Significantly, it is despite the ravages of brutal terrorism of 25 years          that we have been able to notch these gains in social development.         As we complete sixty years of freedom there are two          main challenges before us. One is the challenge of eradicating terrorism          and the other is that of eradicating poverty. With regard to the first          there is cause for satisfaction that the entire Eastern Province has now          been cleared of terrorism. The moves to eradicate it from the North are          still under way, with good expectations for success. We owe a heavy debt          of gratitude to the security forces for their exemplary work in the          battle against terror.         Poverty alleviation requires more equitable economic          development in the country, taking the fruits of progress to the many          regions that have been neglected in the development plans since          Independence, and those that have suffered due to terrorism and the          battle against it. My government has already initiated several measures          to expedite development in hitherto neglected rural areas, including the          Eastern Province which is seeing new awakening, with freedom from          terror.         While facing up to these challenges, it is also          necessary to ensure equity in the rights enjoyed by all our people who          in their rich diversity of language, religion and culture make up the          Sri Lankan nation.         Having completed sixty years of measurable success          amidst turbulence, and progress despite many an obstacle, we should look          forward to the hard work that still lies ahead in our efforts to forge          true unity as a nation, moving away from the divisions and suspicions          that have held us back in the past, and proceed with determination to          the daring new world of opportunity that lies ahead.         Let us renew our pledge to move in unity towards a New          Sri Lanka - Mahinda Rajapaksa -</blockquote>

Verification: Haya warak paha keeyada? (haya wadi kireema paha)

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