By NNN-Govt. Portal,
Colombo : Sri Lanka celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on 12th and 13th of this month respectively.
Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa in his New Year message among others said:
We warmly welcome the Sinhala and Tamil New Year which brings unity and prosperity.
We know that agriculture and the abundance it creates gave birth to the New Year. The Government has during the period that has elapsed devoted much to ensure the prosperity of the land through the empowerment of agriculture. We know that the nation has reaped a harvest of excellent achievements. Hence, it is comforting that this New Year has dawned at a time when the nation is conscious of its dignity.
It is also most fortunate to see the people of the East, who were oppressed by terrorism for over two decades, enjoying the New Year happily with their families. It is my conviction that we would be strengthened by engaging in New Year traditions and customs as one nation.
The unity and fraternity generated by celebrating the New Year according to tradition and customs is a fillip to the country’s prosperity. I hope everybody would unite to observe the New Year in the traditional way.
We express our gratitude to members of the armed forces and the police as well as to others who are in duty during the New Year season to ensure security and other service to the people, said the President. – NNN-GOVT PORTAL