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This year’s celebration of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year is taking place in our country in a new
atmosphere of hope and anticipation that at last, the armed conflict is coming to an end.
Traditional festivities are taking place throughout the country with our people united once again. This is a time for sharing with family and friends and for renewal of expectations for future success and prosperity.
Thanks to the heroic efforts of our security forces who have achieved the liberation of the Eastern Province with minimum civilian casualties and are on the verge of a historic victory in the North, terrorism has been defeated and the challenging tasks of reconciliation and
reconstruction have already begun. Our thoughts are with the families of the brave armed forces and the Police who have made the supreme sacrifice in the combat against terrorism and liberation of the people from the tyranny of the LTTE.
We are also profoundly concerned with the plight of our sisters and brothers who are still being held hostage by the LTTE in a narrow coastal strip in Mullaitivu, despite the repeated calls by the Government and the international community for their immediate release. The
Government continues to send food, medicine and other essential supplies to our fellow citizens who are facing this unfortunate predicament.
I extend my best wishes to all Sri Lankans who will be joining together to organize traditional festivities on this important occasion which is shared by the major communities. I also cordially extend, in particular, an invitation to all non-resident Sri Lankans to join with the
Government in this historic and noble mission of reconciliation and reconstruction of the motherland.
Rohitha Bogollagama, M. P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
13 April 2009
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