Sinhala, Hindu New Year message:

Sri Lanka's biggest cultural festival - President

The New Year is Sri Lanka's biggest cultural festival conducted from times immemorial. It reminds us about the wonder of the earth linked to the activity of the Sun. Sri Lankans nurtured by an agricultural lifestyle received the new year meaningfully and gained delight and enjoyment, states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Sinhala, Hindu New Year message.

The message adds: "The true happiness of new year is safeguarded by a verdant and free and independent country. The sacrifices we have made to build a prosperous and disciplined country offers us great consolation. The enthusiasm currently shown by the people to fulfill new year customs and traditions as never before is a cause of pride and happiness to us all.

"The family bonds built up due to new year customs and traditions helped to further strengthens Sri Lankan society. Therefore we should all follow age old new year customs and traditions and bestow out treasured heritage to the future generation. It is through this that the nation's existence will get stabilized.

"I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year!'