The Sri Lankan culture provides us with clear evidence of the fact that the individuals of a civilization which was united with agriculture and religion have always dealt with nature in a justifiable manner.

The Sri Lankans who reaped their harvest and filled their attics in the fortunate month of April in which the tress bloom, hurriedly got prepared to welcome the new year season following the customs of  the worship of the  Sun. This process took the ambiance of a great festival which is linked with livelihoods, religion and environment.

 
One utmost feature which is explicit within the Sri Lankan New Year Festival is to wish luxury and prosperity to all while uniting the whole community towards a common objective.
 

Especially, customs like worshiping elders and visiting relatives, which are unique to our culture, are significant events that remind us of the social hierarchy and promote reconciliation.  

 
In the New Year we should be determined to create the background for a new beginning not only by cleaning the surroundings of the household in order to make a fresh environment, but also by gathering pleasant thoughts having forgotten old grudges.

 
The ideal that Sri Lankans promoted in the Sinhala and Hindu New Year is to live according due respect to other cultures reminding that we all are descendants of the same origin being Sons of the Sun.

 
I wish all Sri Lankans a happy and prosperous New Year which is full of fresh hopes and good wishes and may celebrate the New Year correcting past wrongs, giving life to our customs, traditions and value systems while respecting those of the others.
 

Karu Jayasooriya

Speaker
Parliament of Sri Lanka