Essential to build national unity to usher in rapid development – President

The most valued quality of this New Year festival is taking the ideal of understanding and cohesion beyond the family, to the village, the city and the entire country, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Sinhala-Hindu New Year message.

The message stated: “We celebrate the dawn of this Sinhala and Tamil New Year with pride in our efforts towards building a nation self-sufficient in an abundant harvest of nature’s blessings.

“Only a great cultural heritage and righteous values could provide the world with people who are rich in humane values. The foundation for this is provided to us by great celebrations of national culture such as this festival. The continued sustenance of rich cultural traditions is symbolic of a nation progressing rapidly towards prosperity.

“We welcome this New Year at a time when production and development in agriculture and other spheres are making immense progress. It is essential to build national unity to usher in rapid development in the country.

“What is outstanding in the traditions of these festivities are coexistence and reconciliation.

The most valued quality of this New Year festival is taking the ideal of understanding and cohesion beyond the family, to the village, the city and the entire country. Taking this spirit of reconciliation towards Sri Lanka being crowned the Wonder of Asia should be a firm commitment of us all at this Aluth Avurudu festival,” the message said.

May New Year bring peace and prosperity – PM

Sri Lankans have received the opportunity to revive fresh hopes during the New Year, while holding on to the age old customs and cultural values, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne states in his Sinhala-Hindu New Year message.

“Defying all predictions, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was able to end the war against terrorism that plagued the country for 30 years. Following the victory, we are now on our way towards the development of our country at global level.

“Now as Sri Lankans, you have been gifted with the opportunity to realise your hopes for the New Year, while safeguarding age-old customs, social and cultural values. “Today is the day that brings smiles on to your faces for a bright future.

“I wish you a very happy new year filled with peace, happiness and prosperity. Wish you all a fabulous future”.

(Ada Derana)