Lanka working hard on reconciliation - Envoy

Sri Lanka is working hard on reconciliation after the three decade war against terrorism was ended, said Sri Lankan Ambassador to US Jaliya Wickramasuriya.

He was speaking at a reception last week to celebrate the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. Ambassador Wickramasuriya who hosted a diplomatic reception at his residence April 22 to celebrate the Sinhala and Hindu New Year featured traditional Sri Lankan food, the lighting of an oil lamp and a presentation by Sarindee Wickramasuriya explaining the customs of the Sri Lankan New Year.

Officials of the US administration and other guests participated in the celebrations at the Sri Lanka Ambassador's residence in Washington DC.

In Sri Lanka, this holiday allows people to forgive and forget the past, and to look forward, Ambassador Wickramasuriya told guests. "We set aside our differences and pledge to one another to live peacefully together in the future."