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| Tuesday, 13 April 2004 |
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Maha Nayaka Thera calls sfor all to unite
Addressing a press conference at the Malwatta Chapter Viharaya, Kandy, he said that when the Sinhala and Tamil New Year dawns on April 13, all citizens of Sri Lanka and political parties must dedicate themselves to shed differences and unite to register a year of peace and harmony free of prejudice and hatred. "Let us highlight human compassion and spread goodwill among all, as the theme of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the Maha Nayaka Thera said. Join hands to rebuild motherland - President
The President's New Year message states: "The New Year begins for us today. This festival which was originally confined to only the Sinhala and Tamil communities has eventually become the New Year Day for all citizens of Sri Lanka. The New Year, beginning with a period of traditional festivity is inseparably entwined with the life pattern of our people. It is the joyous festival of the common man in its true sense, reminiscent of the unabated past glory of our people. The New Year, by and large is a Festival dominated by national customs and traditions and indigenous culture. This year, our people are celebrating the New Year in an atmosphere different from the previous ones, in that their spirit is presently charged with special feelings of national and indigenous interests. The New Year coincides as a harbinger to a wide social, economic and cultural revival. The occasion marks the end of a period of neglect for the national identity and the national culture. Thus the events fell in to place to create a most suitable environment for jubilant New Year celebrations. On the occasion of the New Year, let us resolve to realise the people's aspirations expected of this change. The first and foremost of these aspirations is the establishment of a lasting peace with dignity in our country. Our principal target is to bring about a peaceful situation where people of diverse communities and religious denominations could live in harmony and co-exist with unity enjoying equal rights. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is the most appropriate occasion to emphasise the importance of unity for true peace among the Sinhala and Tamil people who are specially bound by a common cultural heritage. Now is the time to forget the past displeasures and join hands by forgiving each other, a noble New Year custom we have practised over centuries. Let us resolve to dispel our differences and animosities and come together to rebuild our motherland. On this New Year, let us resolve to dispel malice and vengeance and get closer to stand together for the purpose of establishing a new social, economic and cultural order where justice will reign. I wish you all a Happy New Year." Let us determine to uplift the country - Prime Minister
The Prime Minister's New Year message states: "The dawn of the New Year with the sun changing over to Aries from Pisces is the main national festival of all Sri Lankans. This festival is known as the Sinhala and Tamil New Year from the very ancient times. It is a special feature that this national festival is a mixture of the traditions of the Buddhist and Hindu religions. Everybody engages in religious activities on the New Year day and renewing relationships with their relatives, and at the same time spending their time taking part in sports and also enjoying delicious food, turn out to be the main features. With the New Year, new hopes are created in our minds. The New Year this time dawns with the commencement of activities by the new Government elected by the people. The determination of the new Government elected by the people with the expectation of developing the country, creating harmony among all people, and building up a more civilised society, is to fulfil those expectations to the maximum. In this connection it is necessary that there should be a new reawakening among our people as well. As we have always said, we require the participation, assistance and goodwill off all living in our country in order to grant benefits to the people. Compared to many other countries, our country is a lucky land devoid of natural disasters and full of various natural resources. It consists of a population with abundance of different capabilities. What we require today is to congregate such resources correctly for the benefit of the country. Let us all determine on this New Year dawning today to uplift the country economically, socially and culturally. I believe that all groups of the population would assist us free of all differences for that purpose. "I wish all happiness and prosperity for the New Year". All Ceylon Hindu Congress The All Ceylon Hindu Congress President V. Kailasapillai stated: "A New Year is blossoming. In this New year, a political solution that would satisfy the aspirations of the Tamil speaking people should be found. This is the prayer of the people. 'We have suffered enough. Let there be solace at least in the future,' is the yearning of the people. The politicians would have discerned this from the election that has been concluded. "Even those who said that there should be a solution through war, and those who dreamt of a political solution through war, had realised the error in their thinking and called for peace through dialogue and discussion in one voice. Simply calling for talks is not enough. What is required is immediate action and not mere talk. "It is the responsibility of both the government and the opposition parties to bring about peace in the country. That is the mandate given to them by the people. It is also their moral duty to do so. "Let communalism be banished with its roots from the country. Let the politicians act with a sense of responsibility. Let all violence disappear! Let love abound everywhere! "The Tamil speaking people are also citizens of this country. Let there be a political solution that would satisfy the aspirations of the Tamil speaking people so that they can enjoy equal rights and walk with dignity in the country. "Dear Hindus, "Pray to His Almighty on this New Year Day! Let us be optimistic that there will be salvation and solace to our people - of course, with the grace of God. Worship His Almighty! "The path of faith is the only path for us. "Do not forget that many of our sisters and brothers have been suffering in numerous ways. Let all of us help all of them liberally. His Almighty will bless those who are charitable and feel for the others. That is what we can do on this Holy Day of the New Year." Maha Sri Vidiya Peedam "New Year must usher permanent peace" "Sinhalese and Tamils do have faith in astrological science and based on this faith only they celebrate the New Year together in the same month. "Sinhalese and Tamils lead their life based on religious ideologies and actively involve themselves in religious principles. They extend love, affection and unity among one another by celebrating the New Year together. This is what, we feel the most significant factor which will bring an everlasting peace to this country and Sri Vidiya International Hindu Religious Peedam wishes this New Year will bring peace to our country. It also wishes a prosperous New Year to all and to the new government," states the Maha Sri Vidiya Peedam in a new year message. Sri Lanka Islamic Society "I extend my best wishes to the Sinhalese and Tamil communities to mark the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Hence festival is an occasion of happiness to all Sinhalese and Tamils. "When Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka are rejoicing on this day, my heartiest congratulation to the President and the Prime Minister of the United People's Freedom Alliance Government on their commitment to usher in the winds of peace through Sri Lanka by extending their hand of sincere friendship which should be firmly grasped by all communities to bring about peace and prosperity to all of us in our motherland. "We Sri Lankans should back the government effort to restore peace and build a just society. "I wish all Sinhalese and Tamil brothers a very happy and prosperous New Year, states M. Ruzaik Farook, President, Sri Lanka Islamic Society. |
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Produced by Lake House |
People of all denominations and political parties must shed differences
and unite this Sinhala and Tamil New Year, said The Most Venerable
Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Maha Nayaka Thera, Maha Nayaka of the Malwatta
Chapter.
"Now is the time to forget the past displeasures and join hands by
forgiving each other, a noble New Year custom we have practised over
centuries. Let us resolve to dispel our differences and animosities and
come together to rebuild our motherland," states President Chandrika
Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in her New Year message.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in his New Year message has called for
a determined effort by all to uplift the country economically, socially
and culturally expressing the belief that all groups would lend their
assistance towards achieving this objective free of all differences.
