Srilanka, Feb. 2 -- Seventy-seven years ago, Sri Lanka gained Independence from colonial powers who had ruled Sri Lanka for nearly 400 years. It was a momentous occasion in the country's chequered history. The centuries of foreign domination had undermined the nation's sovereignty and diminished the people's willpower. The Nation was at its nadir under the yoke of colonialism.

February 4, 1948 saw the culmination of years of struggle by patriots from all ethnicities, religious groups and walks of life for independence for Sri Lanka. The founder-publisher of this newspaper group D. R. Wijewardene was among those who played a leading role in the Independence movement.

While Independence was obtained without any bloodshed per se, the road ...