Time for sharing
MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama:
This year’s celebration of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year is taking
place in our country in a new atmosphere of hope and anticipation that
at last, the armed conflict is coming to an end.
Traditional festivities are taking place throughout the country with
our people united once again. This is a time for sharing with family and
friends and for renewal of expectations for future success and
prosperity.
Thanks to the heroic efforts of our security forces who have achieved
the liberation of the Eastern Province with minimum civilian casualties
and are on the verge of a historic victory in the North, terrorism has
been defeated and the challenging tasks of reconciliation and
reconstruction have already begun.
Our thoughts are with the families of the brave armed forces and the
Police who have made the supreme sacrifice in the combat against
terrorism and liberation of the people from the tyranny of the LTTE.
We are also profoundly concerned with the plight of our sisters and
brothers who are still being held hostage by the LTTE in a narrow
coastal strip in Mullaitivu, despite the repeated calls by the
Government and the international community for their immediate release.
The Government continues to send food, medicine and other essential
supplies to our fellow citizens who are facing this unfortunate
predicament.
I extend my best wishes to all Sri Lankans who will be joining
together to organize traditional festivities on this important occasion
which is shared by the major communities.
I also cordially extend, in particular, an invitation to all
non-resident Sri Lankans to join with the Government in this historic
and noble mission of reconciliation and reconstruction of the
motherland. |