Holding countrywide cultural festivals strengthens unity - Director, Presidential Social Development

Cultural festivals, such as, the Sinhala New Year, Christmas, Ramazan and Thai Pongal staged in various parts of the country with the participation of all communities has enhanced and stabilized social reconciliation, harmony and solidarity during the last few years, said Director Presidential Social Development Nandana Wijesinghe,.

He was speaking at a special social integration programme to mark Thai Pongal held at the Leisure World Water Park and the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of Tamil women soldiers recruited to the Army from Kilinochchi and nearly 300 students of universities and other educational institutions attached to the Uthuru Vasanthaya Nena Guna Weduma Yovun Diriya National Programme recently.

Wijesinghe said community, religion, gender or financial position was not a criterion for providing employment under the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He said this is clearly proved by the presence of new Tamil women recruited to the Army from Kilinochchi. He said in the past various armed uprisings and conflicts arose in the country centred on certain universities and the North. Social integration programmes of this nature held with the active participation of Northern and Southern youths had helped foster communal amity and lasting peace and put an end to fear and suspicion which precipitated earlier crisis.

Additional Secretary to the President Ranjith Wijetilleke, Senior Assistant Secretary to the President C.N. Withanachchi, Brig. M. Mudannayake, Presidential Assistant Secretary Miss Tanuja Panditharatne, Assistant Secretary Upali Gamage and other officials were also present on the occasion.