In an official message marking Sinhala and Tamil new year celebrations Monday, the Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, pointed to the spirit of reconciliation of 'Aluth Avurudu' [Sinhala word for New Year, commonly used to refer specifically to 'Sinhala New Year'].
The message said,
"What is outstanding in the traditions of these festivities are coexistence and reconciliation. The most valued quality of this Avurudu festival is taking the ideal of understanding and cohesion beyond the family, to the village, the city and the entire country. Taking this spirit of reconciliation towards Sri Lanka being crowned the Wonder of Asia should be a firm commitment of us all at this Aluth Avurudu festival."
(See full message, reproduced on the website of the Sri Lankan embassy in the USA, here).
The Tamil word for New Years, commonly used to refer to Tamil New Year is 'Puthaandu'.
See also: Welcome to Sri Lankan reconciliation... (16 Nov 2013)
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