Greetings for Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2013

April 12, 2013

On behalf of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency the President’s family, the Government and the Staff of the High Commission of Sri Lanka and on my own behalf, I am very pleased to extend my best wishes to all Sri Lankan community and their families residing in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu a Very Happy and a Prosperous Sinhala & Tamil New Year.

The traditional New Year is a truly great national festival which is celebrated by the Sinhalese and Tamils similarly. We, Sri Lankans, begin celebrating our New Year or Aluth Avuruthu or Puththandu in the month of April. This celebration brings the new hopes and anticipation of new beginnings to march towards a new life. Therefore, it is our responsibility to set aside differences and march forward in unity irrespective of caste, creed, ethnicity, religion, language, ideologies and any other prejudices and work hand in hand to promote our Mother Lanka. The two communities in Sri Lanka observe similar customs and traditions which forge the family bonds to strengthen our society. Therefore, it is essential to follow the New Year customs and traditions suchheritage and values needs to be preserved andpassed on to the benefit of our future generation.

Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka continued to enjoy lasting peace. Sri Lanka’s economy has improved and growing stronger. Production is progressing rapidly in agriculture. The unprecedented development drive in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and infrastructure are continuing. Therefore, I appeal in earnest, to all Sri Lankans to join hands and to contribute your invaluable knowledge and thoughts to make Sri Lanka a peaceful and prosperous nation. Your total dedication, commitment, loyalty and untiring efforts to promote and develop our motherland are inevitable and thereby you could extend your contribution to our national economy

I also wish greater friendship between Sri Lanka and Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu on this special and happy occasion.

I thank all individuals and Sri Lankan Associations for their initiative and the commitment in organizing New Year Celebrations in respective countries.

May the New Year bring good health, happiness, peace and prosperity to you all strengthening the unity amongst all Sri Lankans ensuring the safety, security and prosperity of our Mother Lanka.

Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe

High Commissioner