GREETINGS FOR SINHALA AND TAMIL NEW YEAR – 2015
April 13, 2015
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 the significant cultural festival in Sri Lanka which is celebrated by the Sinhalese and Tamils similarly. This is a truly great national festival that shows the remarkable bonds between nature and human kind. The dawn of this New Year brings fresh thoughts and feelings to our hearts.
The New Year is a time for strengthening family bonds. Almost all New Year rituals highlight the importance of unity at family level and country wide. The acts of giving- and forgiving – are perhaps the key message of the New Year. Visiting and mending fences with friends and relatives is a time- tested, meaningful Avurudu or Puthandu custom. These customs also teach us the importance of working punctually.
We are closely knit by a common cultural heritage. In this context, New Year becomes an important national event for us. This is the continuation of strong cultural traditions that strengthen the bonds among the people of our land. Sri Lanka is the Motherland for all of us. Therefore, it is important for all Sri Lankans, to get-together to celebrate this New Year, especially at a time when the people of our country are united in hope, peace, harmony, stability, progress and prosperity as just one family, which is our Sri Lankan family. Therefore, let us avoid all difference and join hands to rebuild our motherland and look for its future prosperity.
On this Occasion, I kindly request all Sri Lankans, the nation of your roots, to join hands and to contribute your wealth of knowledge and thoughts and your invaluable service to make Sri Lanka the “Wonder of Asia”.
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 also 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 and social harmony amongst all Sri Lankans ensuring the safety, security and prosperity of our Mother Lanka.
P.Selvaraj Acting High Commissioner 14.04.2015