“People’s Courage is the Foundation of Every Rising Nation” – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake – Lion's Roar Aotearoa The voice of Sri Lankan community in New Zealand

By Lions Roar News National Desk

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (January 2, 2026) — In a powerful New Year’s message for 2026, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted the unyielding resolve of the Sri Lankan people as the cornerstone of the nation’s recovery. Drawing parallels with global history, the President noted that the “ambition and courage” of its citizens are the primary forces that allow a fallen state to rebuild.

Reflecting on a transformative 2025, the President described the past year as a “turning point” where Sri Lanka laid the groundwork for sustainable development and historic economic stability.

📈 2025: A Year of Record-Breaking Achievements

President Dissanayake’s message served as a report card for the administration’s progress, citing several “exceptional” economic milestones reached over the last twelve months:

Fiscal Discipline: Recorded the lowest budget deficit since 1977.
Revenue Success: Achieved the highest government revenue since 2007, surpassing official targets for the first time in recent history.
Economic Surplus: Maintained a primary account surplus for the first time in the country’s modern history.
Export Surge: Earnings from goods and services exceeded $17 billion.
Tourism Boom: Welcomed the highest number of tourists in recent history.

“We step into 2026 as a nation that has shouldered the greatest reform process and nation-building task in its history,” the President stated.

🤝 Humanity in the Face of Adversity

The President also praised the national response to the recent Cyclone Ditwah disaster—the most severe natural calamity in recent history. He emphasized that the “compassionate humanity” shown by citizens, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder to support their neighbors, proved to be an asset that no disaster could take away.

He extended specific gratitude to:

The Sri Lankan Diaspora: For their vital support from abroad.
Friendly Nations: For providing the “strength of friendship” during the recovery.
State Services: The Police, Tri-Forces, and public officials who worked tirelessly and at personal risk.

🗳️ A New Political Culture

Beyond economics, the President pointed to 2025 as the year a “clean and people-centered political culture” began to replace entrenched corruption. Initiatives like the “Ratama Ekata” (Nation Together) mission were highlighted as successful steps toward protecting future generations from the scourge of narcotics and creating an honest political environment.

“We still have a long journey ahead, but we will walk it together,” the President concluded. “I invite all of you to join hands with unwavering determination to build a country far better than the one we inherited.”