'We Fought for Freedom of All' - SL Envoy To RSA

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Air Chief Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa (Retd.), has delivered a forceful call for Sri Lanka and South Africa to embrace their shared legacy of struggle and step forward as leading voices of the Global South.

Air Chief Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa (Retd.) was Sri Lanka's Former Air Force Commander.

Rajapaksa said the two nations are bound by a history shaped by the pursuit of freedom, equality, and unity in diversity, principles that have defined their democracies and strengthened their positions in the rules‑based international order.

The High Commissioner reflected on the parallel journeys of both countries, noting how each had endured, and overcome, periods of deep political and social upheaval.

“Our never-ending pursuit for freedom, equality, and unity in diversity founded on the ideals of democracy have propelled both our nations to embody the rules-based world order.”

“We fought for our freedom of all, not for a few. We endeavored the aspirations of a nation, not of a few.”

He said Sri Lanka takes pride in reshaping the role of its military, moving from conventional combat operations to humanitarian-focused peace efforts after decades of conflict.

“We demonstrated to the world through humanitarian operations that terrorism not only can be defeated, but sustainable peace can be achieved by empowering and reintegrating the digressed to create a more inclusive community.”

Rajapaksa added that Sri Lankans have repeatedly proven their resilience, through economic challenges, political uncertainty, and social stigma, most recently during Cyclone Ditwah, which he said once again revealed the country’s unbreakable spirit.

The High Commissioner said Sri Lanka and South Africa now stand at a historic crossroads, one where cooperation among developing nations is no longer optional but essential.

“As two nations, we are at crossroads. It is inevitable to recognize the role of the Global South in defending the common interest for the greater good of the whole world.”

He stressed that both countries have consistently championed economic integrity over isolation and collective security over individualistic global policies, even though working toward these ideals can often feel like “leaning against time.”

Rajapaksa called for a renewed wave of economic diplomacy, urging both nations to tap into underexplored yet highly promising areas.

“Sri Lanka and South Africa still have much unexplored potential, especially in sports diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and so on. These are avenues of billion possibilities that require nothing more than mutual dialogue, sharing of common interests, and investing in each other’s potential.”