New Year messages

Renewal in spirit, new expectations

From ancient days the great cultural festival of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has brought satisfaction and joy to the vast majority of our people. It is a festival that pays homage to the sun for the strength given to the land and people and is also the annual harvest festival that echoes the achievements of the rural people, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a New Year message.

President Rajapaksa

The message: “We celebrate this New Year at a time when production is progressing rapidly in agriculture and all other areas of development. It is also a time when all enjoy the freedom achieved in our Motherland. Therefore, this New Year will help bring a renewal in spirit and new expectations to the people about future progress.

”The New Year traditions coming down through centuries add to the joy of celebration. We can give this joy to future generations by making our children aware of its importance in our way of life.

”We must create every opportunity for our children who cherish the New Year festivities to join in observing the many rituals and traditions that they are associated with it. Therefore, to ensure the safety and joy of our children in celebrating this event, I appeal to you all to keep away from all intoxicants during this festive season. I trust this will contribute to bringing its joy closer the children and women of our country.

”I extend my deep gratitude to the members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Defence Corps, as well as a ll employees of the State and Private Sector who have made a commitment to be at their posts during the festive season. I wish you all Happy and Prosperous New Year!”

Let us achieve all development goals

It is as an elder and a friend that I extend my sincere greetings to all citizens of a free country on the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year which marks the movement of sun god from Pisce to Aries in the Zodiac Prime Minister DM Jayaratne said in a New Year message.

Prime Minister DM Jayaratne

“The dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year or the sun festival has taught Sri Lankans many lessons,” the Prime Minister said.

We should remember that no other country or nation has a noble custom such as the new year customs of homes in all parts of the country from North to South rally round at a single auspicious time to light the hearth, boil milk, commence work and partake of food”, the Prime Minister said.

The message: “That friendship and relationship which was subdued by Prabhakaran by the power of the gun has blossomed once again. We are enjoying this renewal, new link and joy thanks to a patriotic son who has rendered his duty and service to the motherland without hesitation. He is none other than President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

We have to gratefully remember that he occupies a special place in the hearts of the people of all community in this country.

”We would never have enjoyed this new found freedom to perform our new year customs if not for him. He has crowned the people with happiness after their sorrowful past.

”Let us heartily wish the North and South a happy New Year. Let us wish strength and courage to one and all to achieve all individual hopes and aspirations as well as create a righteous nation by achieving all development goals as a nation”.

Country enjoying fruits of freedom

The much aspired peace has been established and the whole country is enjoying the fruits of freedom, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said in a New Year message.

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is the foremost cultural event of the Sri Lankan society. The New Year festival which gives prominence to religious observances is an event that with the combination of human compassion, unity and respect for the elders symbolises the national identity and is being held uninterruptedly from the ancient past and an event that has deep rooted cultural significance, the Minister said.

The message: “Although even in the recent past Sri Lankans who were devoid of a part of the country, and were uncertain about a tomorrow, and were forced to live as losers and were unable to celebrate the New Year on a grand scale due to terrorist fears, they did not refrain from observing the rites and rituals connected to the New Year.

“During that time the aspiration and the desire of everyone were peace and freedom for the country. This much aspired peace has been established. The whole country is now enjoying the fruits of freedom.

”The aspiration and hope of this New Year should be acquiring prosperity and happiness for the whole country. For Sri Lanakns who have accomplished the challenges that were thrown to us as non achievable, making Sri Lanka a prosperous nation is not a task that is difficult to attain.

”While enjoying the grandeurs of the New Year, let us firmly resolve to assist for strengthening the development process of the Nation.

All of you who enjoy this New Year should not forget to commemorate our war heroes who sacrificed their life and limb to create the atmosphere for us to enjoy the New Year peacefully.

”May this New Year of 2011, be a year full of affluence, prosperity and happiness to all Sri Lankans.”