New Year brings prosperity - PM

"It is with great pleasure that I offer my greetings for the year 2012 which brings expectations of love, co-existence and prosperity," states Prime Minister DM Jayaratne in a New Year message.

The message adds: "I believe that this is the best moment when we have entered into a development process as individuals as well as a whole country and a nation to look back at mistakes and weaknesses in the past.

"The lessons we learnt from the past when we were divided as races, religions, castes, colours and parties are many. We should now end the era where Sri Lanka was termed an under-developed country in the world. Undoubtedly, as Sri Lankan is led by a Head of State who defeated the brutal terrorism without the assistance or interference from other countries, who is considered the greatest leader among nations in the world. We have the physical strength as well as the will-power to march towards development programmes. If we are to crown that pride, we should be dedicated to win the development war which is in front of us. You have a dream to fulfil in the year 2012 under the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the leader of the country.

"Let us allocate the first thought of the year for the fulfilment of that dream. When Sri Lanka becomes fully developed, our dream will come true. I would like to assure you that that day is not far away.

"Let us join hands to fulfil that dream, keeping the disagreements aside.

"Happy New Year!"