Nation ready to celebrate Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Chaminda PERERA

The entire nation is gripped in a festive atmosphere with cities filled with last minute shoppers as the vast majority prepares to celebrate the dawn of a New Year tomorrow, the third Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrated in an environment of peace.

Last minute shopping was witnessed in many cities in the country yesterday too as thousands of people thronged streets with unprecedented vigour and enthusiasm for the celebration of Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Streets in Pettah were crowded with last minute shoppers who flocked to the city to purchase their needs in preparation for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Picture by Samantha Weerasiri

Massive crowds were witnessed at Lak Sathosa outlets and super market chains islandwide yesterday too.

The People have also shown unprecedented enthusiasm in participating Sinhala and Tamil New Year eventswhich are being held around the country during the festive season. The Police Department has put in place a comprehensive security arrangement covering all parts of the country. A contingent of 6000 police personnel have already been called in , to Colombo in addition to the police officers attached to police stations in the Colombo city, to ensure safety of people leaving for their native places for the New Year.

Police Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana also requested the public to be extra vigilant during festive shopping as pick pocketers and snatch thieves are ready to cash in on congestion.

He said that a special group of officials has been deployed in civvies to nab them.

The Bak Maha Ulela organized by the Presidential Secretariat employees was also held at the Police Field Force Headquarters Colombo last Saturday with participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The Sri Lanka Army Headquarters organized a Bak Maha Ulela at the Moors ground Colombo last Tuesday with Army Commander Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya in attendance.

A number of traditional games, including tug of war, pillow fighting, Avurudu Kumari contest were held among the officers and the soldiers serving at the Army headquarters. The Sri Lanka Air Force conducted New Year festivities in almost all bases around the country during the last few days.The main celebrations were held at the Sri Lanka Air Force headquarters in Colombo where the chief guest was Air Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema.