Together with the entire nation I bow my head in condolence for all those who lost their lives and in sympathy with their loved ones.
The December 26th catastrophe was one we were not prepared for. However as a nation we have taken control. I salute our people for their resilience. I am proud to be a Sri Lankan and to call myself a citizen of this small but great nation.
We were touched by the magnificent expression of solidarity and generosity of the ordinary people in every country across the globe.
The Government for its part moved into action fast to set up systems and networks to assist the affected. Three days after the disaster the government set up a Special Task Force to assess the damage to infrastructure and housing and to plan the strategies for rebuilding. In under a month the reconstruction programme was made ready for implementation.
Perhaps for the first time since independence all political parties are working together and effectively. I hope this is the dawn of a new era of unity amongst all our peoples.
Let us unite at this direst moment of our nation's need. The task before us is massive. We need to rebuild the lives of our peoples and our infrastructure that took us decades to construct.
The mighty forces of nature taught us a lesson that we refused to learn through several decades of independence. A nation that was home to various communities of people, divided itself along ethnic, linguistic and religious lines.
Let us unite with those who we consider our enemies as well as with our friends in order that we rebuild our nation into a modern progressive, yet, Sri Lankan nation State.