Sri Lanka, Feb. 4 -- Our overarching purpose must be to create an economically independent state replete with evolved people, stated the leader of the Sarvajana Balaya, Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera in his Independence Day message.

Message from the Leader of the Sarvajana Balaya on the 78th National Independence Day:

Today we celebrate 78 glorious years since our motherland won independence from the British empire.

Our ancestors fought valiantly to bring centuries of colonialism to an end.

Today we commemorate an independence borne of that determination and commitment.

To truly appreciate the impact of their sacrifice, we must make this hard won independence meaningful.

True independence doesn't just mean a country's existen...