Nation ready to celebrate Sinhala and Hindu 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 fourth Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrated in an environment of peace.

Last minute shopping was witnessed in many cities in the country yesterday too as thousands milled the streets with urgency and enthusiasm.

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 events which are being held around the country during the festive season. According to Police Spokesman SP Buddhika Siriwardena, the Police Department has put in place a comprehensive security arrangement covering all parts of the country. Extra 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 Siriwardena also requested the public to be extra vigilant during festive shopping as pick pockets and snatch thieves are ready to cash in on congestion.

He said that a group of 300 officials has been deployed in civvies to nab the pick pockets. “Over 50 persons involved in pick pocketing in the city have already been arrested, he said.

The Bak Maha Ulela organized by the Presidential Secretariat employees was also held at the Police Field Force Headquarters Colombo last Saturday with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne.