New Year brings renewed hope for all - Ambassador Wickramasuriya
Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United Nations Jaliya Wickramasuriya in
a Sinhala and Tamil New Year message said Sri Lankans celebrate their
second New Year in complete peace.
Ambassador Wickramasuriya said: "Today we mark yet another milestone
as we celebrate our second New Year with Sri Lanka at complete peace.
"Here in the United States, our work to consolidate our communities
continues. I have spoken with so many of you in different parts of the
United States during the last year that I can see how strong our
community associations are, and how heartfelt our support of Sri Lanka
continues to be. I will be meeting with even more of you in the coming
year.
"Many of you have traveled to Sri Lanka in the past year, and then
have taken the time to call or e-mail me to describe your experiences
there. I am happy to report that the vast majority of your reports are
positive ones. Please continue to contact me or the embassy staff with
your accounts of visits to Sri Lanka.
I have had to travel to Sri Lanka on official business several times
during the past year. Each time I visit I notice dramatic changes:
Checkpoints gone, businesses springing up, traffic flooding north and
east. No doubt some of you have had the same observations.
"Most importantly, people are happy, and free from the fear of the
past conflict.
"As President Rajapaksa said in his New Year greeting, it is 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."
"To ensure that progress, we must work here in the U.S. to safeguard
the peace. It is our country. Sri Lankans are our sisters and brothers.
We do not want terrorism back in our Motherland.
"We need to tell the correct story of Sri Lanka here in the U.S. to
overcome the negative, fabricated stories of those who would return us
to violence and division.
"As everyone knows, the New Year tradition is to forgive and forget -
forgive the neighbour or relative or friend who has done you wrong, and
move forward in a New Year that is free of resentment and open to new
opportunities.
"My personal view is that there are some things that we will never be
able to forget, and perhaps we shouldn't. There is a saying etched into
the stone of government building here in Washington: "Past is Prologue."
"But we can forgive. I would ask that as Sri Lankans living in the
U.S., that we discard any animosities toward each other, that we look
past ethnic divisions and work together. Sri Lanka needs the support of
all of us, and together we can present a strong and meaningful united
front.
"May you have the happiest of New Year's." |