"At a time when we seek to embrace all of our people as members of a single nation, the celebration of this victory, as deep as it is felt, should be expressed with magnanimity and friendship towards all," states President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the celebrations currently taking place throughout the country.

Ensuring that the nation's outpouring of joy at the defeat of terrorism, leaves no room for anyone's feelings to be hurt in any manner is the greatest tribute we can pay to our Motherland, President adds.

To a people battered and bruised by terrorism for more than three decades, its convincing defeat is a genuine cause for celebration, that we see take place with spontaneity throughout our land.

At a time when we seek to embrace all of our people as members of a single nation, the celebration of this victory, as deep as it is felt, should be expressed with magnanimity and friendship towards all.

As the National Flag is raised throughout the land in joyous celebration, I see it as the duty of all to ensure that all differences that hitherto divided our people are subsumed in the great and momentous joy that is shared by us all.

Ensuring that the nation's outpouring of joy at the defeat of terrorism, leaves no room for anyone's feelings to be hurt in any manner is the greatest tribute we can pay to our Motherland.

Let us all stand together, strong and united in victory.

Mahinda Rajapaksa

Courtesy: Presidential Secretariat- Colombo