An Outline of Plan for the Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence
Posted on January 14th, 2023
Senaka Weeraratna
Aims
1) To research and rewrite the narrative surrounding gaining of independence on 4th Feb 1948
2) To ensure that the narrative is factually correct
3) To explore the internal factors and the external factors that contributed to the gaining of freedom
4) To plan a celebration that gives due place to all those who fought against all three Euro – Christian powers that ruled Ceylon in an unjust way
5) To inquire into Colonial Crimes committed by the three Colonial Rulers including Genocidal crimes and wholesale destruction of Buddhist Temples and illegal seizure, occupation of Buddhist Temple lands and the prohibition of the practice of Buddhism
6) To consider changing the format of the celebration to exhibit more the historical, cultural, scientific, Ayurvedic medicines and medical achievements in improving the quality of life, and the creative abilities and contributions of our people in our 2, 500 year history including the names of our freedom fighters including our brave Kings and Queens who fought and protected this land from foreign invasions
7) To establish a museum dedicated to remembering the freedom struggles of the people of Sri Lanka against Colonial Rule (1505 – 1948)
8) Convene an International Conference on Colonialism jointly with former European colonies
9) Teach History in our schools giving the due place to the Freedom struggles, and
10) Demand Accountability for crimes against both humans and non – humans e.g., the holocaust of elephants in the upcountry during British Rule, in the form of an
a) Apology and Remorse
b) Repentance and Atonement
c) Catharsis
d) Reparations
e) Restitutio in Integrum (A Latin phrase meaning Restoration)
Senaka Weeraratna