DILI, 31 december 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta, led the solemn ceremonies for National Heroes Day, which began with a symbolic march from the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace to the iconic Nicolau Lobato Roundabout in Dili.
In a moving address, the Head of State paid profound tribute to the courage and self-sacrifice of the nation’s founders, highlighting historical figures such as Nicolau Lobato and Francisco Xavier do Amaral. The President emphasized that Timor-Leste’s freedom was not a gift but a hard-won conquest, forged through many years of tenacious resistance and the unwavering spirit of the Timorese people.
Looking toward the future, the President called for a renewed national commitment to confront and overcome contemporary challenges, namely multidimensional poverty, malnutrition, and illiteracy. The Head of State also stressed the importance of national unity as Timor-Leste prepares for deeper regional integration within ASEAN and continues to strengthen its fraternal ties with neighboring Indonesia. Reflecting on his own mandate, the President reaffirmed his dedication to serving the people with humility and transparency, pledging to strengthen institutional cooperation between the Government, the National Parliament, and the Courts, with a view to building a more prosperous and inclusive nation.
Following the speech, the ceremony continued with a solemn act of remembrance, in which President Ramos-Horta led the laying of wreaths at the base of the Nicolau Lobato Statue. The Head of State was accompanied by several prominent national figures, including former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, the President of the Court of Appeal, Vice-Prime Minister Mariano Assanami Sabino, and the Minister for National Liberation Combatants, Gil da Costa Monteiro “Oan Soru.”
Also present were the Chief of the General Staff of the F-FDTL, Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, the Chief of Staff of the Presidency of the Republic, Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes, as well as Members of the National Parliament, who participated in the floral offering, symbolizing a united front of national leadership in honoring the eternal memory of the country’s martyrs.
TATOLI
