“In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami disaster, I invited all political parties in Parliament to join the Government in rebuilding the Nation. We have created structures for joint action at the national and district levels. It is perhaps the first time since independence that all political parties have worked together effectively. I truly hope that this is the dawn of a new era of unity amongst all our peoples, where we could work together in the national interest placing Nation before self. As I once said, it requires largesse of heart and mind and great statesmen and women to lead us along the tortuous but rewarding path we are required to traverse, to reach a state of understanding, harmony and unity. I believe that we Sri Lankans possess these qualities. Let us search them out and unite at this direst moment of our Nation’s need,” she said.

Ms. Kumaratunga also emphasised that the task of rebuilding the nation was ‘massive’. “We have to build 75,000 new houses and repair about 150,000, in a country that annually builds less than 5000 houses and about 200 business places. We have to rebuild in one year the infrastructure that took us decades to construct.” We do not fear this challenge however daunting it may be. I am confident that we have the spiritual and human resources to take on this massive task, she added. Published: Fri Feb 4 02:44:45 EST 2005

The events excluded a traditional military parade. Last year, multi-barrel rocket launchers, tanks and heavy artillery were on display in a show of force.

The dignitaries, led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga, observed two minutes silence in honor of the country's former leaders and the more than 30,000 people killed in the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster.

Kumaratunga called for unity to rebuild the devastated nation.

``The mighty forces of nature have taught us a lesson that we refused to learn through several decades of independence,'' Kumaratunga said.

``We have to stand together if we are to meet the challenges posed by mother nature herself, leave alone disasters that we have generated for ourselves such as conflicts and wars,'' she said.

This year's 57th independence anniversary was free of rebel threats because the guerrillas say they have put their freedom struggle on the back-burner to deal with the tsunami disaster that hit both Tamil and Sinhalese areas.

However, the two sides have bickered over the disbursement of foreign aid. Rebels have accused the government of discriminating against Tamil-majority areas in the north and east in its disbursement of aid.

The Tigers began fighting in 1983 to create a separate state for minority Tamils, accusing the country's majority Sinhalese of discrimination. A 2002 cease-fire halted the fighting but subsequent peace talks have been on hold since April 2003 amid rebel demands for wide autonomy. Published: Fri Feb 4 05:20:50 EST 2005

The rebel was gunned down while riding a motorcycle in the eastern town of Kiran in Batticaloa, military spokesman Brig. Daya Ratnayake said.

Scores of people have been killed in fighting between the mainstream Tigers and the rival faction since the renegade leader broke away in March last year.

Batticaloa, 220 kilometers (135 miles) east of Colombo, is a stronghold of the renegade leader and was one of the areas hit hardest by the Dec. 26 tsunami in the island nation.

Ratnayake identified the dead rebel as Viveshan and said another man traveling with him escaped without injury. Most rebel fighters use only one name. Published: Fri Feb 4 05:21:23 EST 2005