Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s Independence Day speech — in which he promised to reconnect hearts and minds with the island nation’s Tamil minority — was a sharp departure from the principles of his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa.

National reconciliation seems to be gathering pace and reemerging into the public consciousness and Sirisena has, by his words, paved the way for a smooth healing process to begin.

Words are, however, not enough. They need to be backed up by meaningful and substantial action. To give the president his due, he has laid the foundation of a long-awaited development process.

Sri Lanka’s Tamils have for long felt that they have been treated as second-class citizens and the government’s final offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) left many displaced Tamils deprived of their rights. Sirisena’s decision to free political prisoners and release private land back to their rightful owners in the northern and eastern parts of the country has touched a chord among the populace there. This is a statement of intent. The president’s directive to politicians and parties to drive home the philosophy of national reconciliation should provide hope to thousands. The recent appointment of the country’s chief justice, Kanagasabapathy Sripavan, a Tamil, is a case in point.

It is time for the Tamil minority to meet the government halfway. Positive gestures must replace old grudges. The hearts and minds of every Sri Lankan should beat as one.