By Hemamala Wickramage

 Amidst hopes for a new era of peace and prosperity, Sri Lanka's 54th anniversary of independence will be celebrated tomorrow. In marking this milestone in the country's history, numerous independence day celebrations have been organised countrywide.

The official ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo presided over by the President with the Prime Minister, members of parliament and other dignitaries in attendance. Religious observances and other charity programs are also scheduled to be held around the country. Armed forces personnel have, contrary to the past, organised shramadana programs to be held island-wide.

Looking back at historical events, Sri Lanka has suffered many a foreign invasion including those of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. Though during Portuguese and Dutch times the whole of Sri Lanka was not under foreigners, things changed under the British.

In 1815, the kingdom of the last king of the island, Kandy, fell to the British after which the invaders established rule over the whole island. They exploited the country for business purposes both to encourage the export of tea, as well as to make it a market for industrial goods manufactured in Britain.

After 133 years of British rule Sri Lanka won back its independence in 1948 through a process of peaceful, constitutional evolution. However, the period in-between saw a number of attempts at freedom by Sinhalese leaders.

The most noteworthy attempt at freedom can be described as the one in 1818, headed by Keppetipola Disawa. In 1848, the country's freedom struggle took on a new turn with people like Gongalegoda Banda and Weera Puran Appu joining in.

Between the period of 1870-1920, there were other prominent social reformers such as Ven Migetuwatte Gunananda Thero, and the Ven Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero. Anagarika Dharmapala hailed as one of the greatest freedom fighters of the country, played an important role in bringing the country closer to independence.

During the last stages of the battle for freedom, national heroes in the likes of D.B.Jayathilake, E.W. Perera, D.S.Senanayake and Robert Gunawardene contributed selflessly. They were fighting for reforms that would force the British to leave the then Ceylon so that the native elites could takeover the leadership. The most noteworthy fact of the struggle however is that independence was achieved through a peaceful process in the end.

Today however, the biggest problem the country faces is the war, which is reflected in the great sacrifice the county has had to make both in the lives lost and in the huge monetary cost as well.

" I don't think we can really talk about independence, while there is a war going on in the country. However, there is a good chance for peace now. I think we have fought this war for far too long and it's important we take the peaceful path," said Surein Perera, manager at H. V. A. Lanka export Pvt. Ltd., said.

The present situation has also compelled Sri Lankans to hark back to the past both for solace and example According to Gaston Perera, a prominent historical novelist, there are lessons to be learned from the unremitting struggle that the Kandian people led against the Portuguese invaders. Peace and independence are issues that people should fight vigorously for, he said.

Speaking on the current situation Perera said, "It is extremely important that we achieve peace. This will relieve the burden of our Tamil brothers in the country's north. It will also be helpful in easing the terrible strain on the county's economy. However, we have to be circumspect about who and whom we are dealing with."

The war has been a great burden on the people of the north who bear the brunt of it not only because of the death, rape and torture in their midst, but also because of the near-starvation induced by the lack of food and medicine.

S.M. Jayasekere, an artist working for a publishing company said the war in the north, which has been going on for the past 15 years, has deprived people of this country of full independence. To celebrate independence there should be a peaceful environment within the country, he said.

The measures taken by the new government are a good sign that the country is taking the correct path. If the war can be stopped and peace restored that will certainly bring a much-awaited independence to thousands of innocent families held up in refugee camps in the northern and eastern regions.

The high cost-of-living is seen as one of the impediments of full independence. The government has attributed it to the war, but other institutional and structural pressures too impinge upon it. Economic independence is the struggle of every household.

Expressing her views on peace and independence Kalani Piyadasa, an arts undergraduate said, mere political freedom is not enough for the suffering masses. "People should be financially independent as well. At a time when day to day living has become a battle itself, importance should not be given to pomp and ceremony in celebrating the anniversary of independence," she said.

The high cost-of-living has led people to shun ostentation and ceremony. However, the state, which should set the example in austerity, is the major spender in ostentatious functions and ceremonies. Though military parades are beautiful to watch they cost money as do other ceremonies that are held nationwide.

Nimantha Perera, a bank executive said even though Sri Lanka was successful in gaining independence by a peaceful process, the emergence of pro-nationalist elements and their actions have thrown the country in to turmoil. "For the past 15 or so years, the country and its people have been constantly threatened by the violence of this ruthless war. As far as I'm concerned, we have been able to enjoy only a nominal state of independence," he said.

"Today, peace seems to be the main issue we have to deal with. Lasting peace no matter how hard it would be to achieve, is extremely important. During the past few years, all independence day celebrations were held while there was a full-scale war going on in the north. Certainly, this year would be different due to the current cease-fire. Everyone is hopeful of a change" said Shannon Ebert, a sales executive at Mobitel Communications.

"Our leaders who took part in the freedom struggle cherished a great historic dream when we were granted independence. The governments that were in power so far have failed to achieve what's beyond political independence such as economic prosperity, equal opportunities for all Sri Lankan citizens regardless of their social and cultural differences. It has been over 50 long years and I am hopeful at least the present government would take action wise enough to make a change" said to Upali Munasinghe, an IT professional.

Social peace brought about by good relations between the communities is another wish expressed by those with whom The Sunday Leader spoke. Not only is relations between the ethnic groups important, but even between caste and religious groups as well. The social fabric can withstand the strains on it only if it is resilient. This resilience can be achieved only if it is in harmony with itself

Nirmala Gunasekera, a receptionist at a private firm said, "Genuine celebration of independence cannot take place while the society lacks harmonious relations between people of different cultural and social backgrounds. As long as we engage in conflicts, peace would only remain on the horizon. It will not reach us."

The release of 10 soldiers and civilians by the LTTE has produced an agreeable effect in the Sri Lankan population. There are many families that have lost loved ones in the war both from the north and the south, to whom independence is meaningful because of the sacrifice made by their loved ones. But nothing will replace life lost.

Menaka Dissanayake, a school teacher is of the view that there will be true independence, once families of the soldiers at war are independent of the fear of having their loved so close to death.

"People of the north too dream of living in security and prosperity," she added.

As much as the south is overjoyed by the freeing of soldiers and civilians, the people of the north and east hope that innocent people in Sri Lankan prisons are set free soon..

Fear has ruled Sri Lanka. Be it a suicide bomber or a bomb-laden aircraft, people live terrified that something untoward can happen to them at any moment. Surveys show the mental anxiety and trauma that assails Sri Lankans, especially young children. Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Jayantha Hewavasam, a retired government servant said, "Fist we should be independent of the constant fear and uncertainty of living in a war torn country."

Despite many a difficulties faced and in spite of many a slogans shouted, people have chosen to strive for peace. They have decided to adhere to peaceful methods of freeing themselves of the ruthless war.

Thus, at a time when people of Sri Lanka are hopeful of a lasting peace as an end to the crisis, it is the duty of all political parties regardless of their political beliefs, to deliver that long yearned for peace to usher in an era of proper independence.

By Marianne David

To fully understand the plight that has befallen the young man, Namal, who is at the centre of this story, you have to first take a good look at the pictures of him that are on this page. You see Namal when he was carefree and happy with his young wife and baby and then again you see Namal, a bedridden broken man.

Namal was in a severe accident in November and was taken to a hospital in Negombo, from where he was immediately sent to Colombo. Since then he has been a patient at the National Hospital in ward 58 of the accident service section.

At first, Namal was unconscious and on a life-support machine for about five days. Today, he is only semi-conscious and shouts out in pain even though he cannot talk properly or recognise his loved ones. One of Namal's legs is broken, a hand is lifeless and he is severely brain damaged. He met with his accident when he was on a motorbike and collided with a lorry. His boss, who was with him at the time, was also injured but not as severely as Namal.

Namal, who was a driver for a small company before he met with this accident cannot do anything for himself now, and his family cannot entertain hopes that he will get better and be able to work again. Unfortunately, his young wife, 23-year-old Priyanthi, is unemployed and he has a one-and-a-half-year old baby too.

Married for three years, they were living contentedly, satisfied with their lot in life in a rented house in Negombo when tragedy turned everything around completely. Their house has now been taken from them by the owners because there is no money to pay the rent. Priyanthi is staying with her in-laws in Kesbewa right now and spends all the time she can at her husband's bedside.

"We take turns at his bedside and spend a lot of time with him. He needs someone near him constantly. He was in the ICU for fourteen days and was given saline for a month. He was fed through tubes for a while after that but now he has to be fed by someone. He cannot recognise us but one day, about one-and-a-half months after the accident, he recognised his father and called out to him," said Priyanthi.

The two months in a hospital bed have taken their toll heavily on Namal. He has a large bedsore that he got because his body could not be turned on a regular basis. This was an impossible task due to his broken leg and other injuries. The medicine needed to heal this bedsore costs almost 700 rupees, and is needed every four days. Namal's siblings help in the way they can, but they too wonder what the future will hold for Namal and their family. His doctors have said time may heal the wounds and that they can set his leg, but they haven't said whether his brain too would eventually heal.

"We will take him home when he is better because he is our son and we will do the best we can for him. I just don't know what the future will be because he and his wife don't have a house or any means of support. We don't know how will we be able to give him the medicine and other things he will need," said his mother, Lillian Perera.

This young man who did his best for his little family has nothing now and no hope for the future. He cannot even talk. The dreams he would have dreamed with his wife for themselves and their little daughter Dushani are now shattered. Two days before the accident, Namal, his wife and their baby have taken a photograph of them together. None of them would ever have thought that this would be the last picture of them as a happy family, and that their little world would be shattered in this manner just two days later.

Namal looks terribly pathetic and in severe pain on his hospital bed. The look on his helpless wife's face is even more heart rending. Namal needs his medicine badly. He also needs the funds to be able to afford it. Thankfully, O. Fonseka, a volunteer worker at Red Cross, has helped them by setting up an account for them at the Hatton National Bank (Account number 039 025454 7SA) and by helping Priyanthi as much as she can. Now Priyanthi's only hope is that others too will help them in the time they need it most.

What can they smile about now and what does little Dushani have to look forward to? Her father cannot carry her or play with her anymore. He cannot even eat his meals by himself or go to the bathroom.

Even if he were to be discharged from the hospital and his wife were to give him the 24-hour care he needs, who would support their little family? Priyanthi, however, isn't thinking about the future yet. She is still trying to absorb the shock of seeing her loving husband in such pain and trying to understand why their lives were turned around in such a tragic way. At least, she is still keeping hope alive and counting on the inherent goodness of people and their generosity, to give her and her family a reason to smile again.

By Risidra Mendis

For thousands of years it was nature that provided man with the food and shelter needed to exist. However with the gradual increase in population and man's greed for power and money, nature became a side issue to be exploited by man and for the benefit of man.

With no concern for the environment and its natural resources today most of the rare plants, animals and a majority of wetlands in the country are facing extinction. In a report published by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union, to mark the World Wetlands Day on February 2, Dr Channa Bambaradeniya head of the Bio diversity programme, has identified the reasons for the loss of habitat and vegetation in these wetlands. The four main causes are habitat deterioration and degradation, direct loss and exploitation of species, the spread of invasive alien species and the natural phenomena.

The clearing of vegetation and water pollution has resulted in the loss of habitats and species, in the wetlands. While the disposing of garbage has caused the spread of many diseases, poaching, and the reduction of ornamental fish and plants. The wetlands are also threatned by the natural phenomena such as the recent prolonged drought that resulted in the drying up of several tanks, streams, marshes and lagoons while causing the death of several species of wetland animals. The rise of sea water temperature, due to climatic change resulted I the bleaching of coral reefs especially in the South Western part of Sri Lanka.

The World Wetlands Day came about when, on February 2 1971a significant milestone on the conservation of wetland ecosystems was achieved in the city of Ramsar in Iran. Today the convention on wetlands known as the Ramsar convention serves as an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international co-operation for the conservation and wise use of the wetlands and their resources.

In this context Sri Lanka plays a major role in the convention, when in 1991 the Bundala Lagoon located in the Hamba- ntota district was declared the first Ramsar wetland site, due to its high species of waterfowl and migratory bird species. In 2001 the Annaiwilundawa Sanctuary located in the Puttalam district was also declared a Ramsar site, when considering its rich biological diversity, historic cultural significance, and its system of ancient cascading tanks established in the 12th century.

Wetlands can be defined as areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed 6 metres. According to environmentalists the wetlands of Sri Lanka according to the Ramsar convention can be divided into inland fresh water wetlands, salt water wetlands and man made wetlands.

The significance of wetlands in the country comprise a mixture of soils, water, plants, and animals. "The interactions between these elements allow wetlands to perform, several functions that are beneficial to mankind while generating a healthy wildlife, fisheries and forest resources. Therefore the loss of wetlands results in the eradication of these benefits leading to harmful consequences on human welfare and to the extinction of species that are ecologically dependent on wetlands," Dr Bambaradeniya said.