The Institute for Democracy & Leadership (IDL) and the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit (FNF) organizes a public forum to spread the message of Freedom

During this visit he delighted the German audience by making a speech in German. Sri Lanka lost a great supporter of the liberal cause when Lalith fell prey to terrorism in 1993.

The Institute of Democracy & Leadership (IDL) was the late Minister’s brain child. Lalith’s protégée Hon. Ravi Karunanayake (M.P) and a group of young professionals established the IDL in 1997 with the assistance of FNF, so that Lalith’s vision for a liberal democratic Sri Lanka will go on. 2008 marked his 15th death anniversary. IDL made this an occasion not only to commemorate Lalith, but also to remind the Sri Lankan civil society the importance of safeguarding political and economic freedom. They, therefore, invited the politician of our times, most committed to uphold liberal principles, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, to deliver the memorial oration.

Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his usual inimitable style, delivered his address titled “Peoples’ Sovereignty means Universal Franchise and Liberty”, to a large gathering of distinguished audience on 28th April 2008. Ranil emphasized that “Lalith understood the need to fight for the rights of the people, but more importantly, he understood the need to safeguard liberty and universal franchise which are the main components of the people’s sovereignty. “

Ranil reminded the audience that “The 1978 Constitution first demarcated the space for individual liberties and then allowed the powers of Government to be exercised without infringing that space”. He pointed out that the Sri Lanka became a party to the commonwealth declaration in 1991 which reads “democracy, democratic processes and institutions which reflect national circumstances, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, just and honest government; fundamental human rights, including equal rights and opportunities for all citizens regardless of race, colour, creed or political belief. He stated strongly that the above is an alien concept in Sri Lanka today.

This successful event once again saw three main partners of the FNF working in unison to promote liberal values. The Key Note address was delivered by the most prominent UNPer today, the organization was by the IDL with its chairman giving the introductory remarks, and the summing up was done by a young member of CPA, the winner of 2007 Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP).