President Maithripala Sirisena stated that he will never enter into treaties which compromise national independence that subject Sri Lanka to foreign control.

Speaking at the Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thera commemorative event at Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Pirivena yesterday, President Sirisena pointed out that in modern times, powerful countries seek to subject smaller countries through treaties on development, defense and economy.

He further said that the government will act carefully when coming in to such agreements with other nations.

Sirisena pointed out that Sri Lankans should never forget the legacy of the colonial period when the colonialists ruined the Sri Lankan culture, religion and even humanity of the people. The 400 year colonial period should be a good example, he added.

Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thera was a key member of the national struggle against the British from 1815 to 1818. Legend has it that he put down a Union Jack when the British had raised the flag on March 2, even before the local nobles had signed the Kandyan Convention. During the 1817-18 Uva-Wellassa national uprising, he protected the Sacred Tooth Relic until his capture in late 1818. Sumangala Thera was exiled to Jaffna thereafter.