Spread message of togetherness, brotherhood and peace

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara issuing a Sinhala and Hindu New Year message said with the dawning of the New Year, those celebrating the New Year should invite their neighbours for the first meal with Kiribath and traditional Sinhala/Hindu sweetmeats at the auspicious time to share the joy and happiness, no matter what their nationality or religion is in order to spread the message of togetherness/brotherhood, affection, peace and happiness amongst all.

Further, all should unite and enjoy the New Year festivities organized in the village and participate in all activities exhibiting unity amongst everybody.

The message:

"Where do we stand with regard to commemorating the Sinhala and Tamil New Year? What are the fresh hopes/expectations of those celebrating the Sinhala and Tamil New Year? What is the new vision ahead of us post the Sinhala and Tamil New Year? It is timely that a detailed analysis is carried out on the above factors."

It is the need of the hour.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year is the main and the most important Cultural Festival in our country. We have the right to identify this cultural festival as one depicting the true Sri Lankan Culture. Today, our culture "cries out loud" for such an identity.

The Sun is the sign for this festival and it carries an all important message in its identity. This festival is also referred to as the" Festival of the Sun".

Sun does not identify people by their Nationality nor their Religion. Existence of Humanity solely depends on the Sun. Sunlight is common to all. It belongs to everybody and I reiterate the fact that the Sun does not identify people by their Nationalities nor their Religion.

Therefore it is very important that the basic essence of this festival is clearly understood.

Hence we have to convert this New Year into one which will be celebrated by all categories of the public in this country and fulfill our expectations. Should we, all countrymen, unite with one purpose and celebrate this year's New Year Festival in unison, without division of the public Nationality-wise nor Religion-wise, then we will have the opportunity to achieve our target of a New Vision.

Our culture is "bound in a web" around our profession, village, temple, kovil and the church. We commemorate this New Year festival in April networking all these factors. The necessity to unite the Sri Lankan Nation as one single country has arisen at this juncture. It is the responsibility of all Nationalities and we have to respect and honour each other's identity through unity.

It is of utmost priority as the New Year dawns.

If we prepare a programme to enlighten all Sri Lankans of the fact that National Identity is sun-centred, we will be able to convert this year into one which will provide many solutions to the problems existing within this country.