New Year Message from the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka
HE James Dauris, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka issued the following message on the day of the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year
Suba Aluth Avrudhak, Iniya Thamil Puththaandu Nalvaalththukkal and Happy New Year to all those celebrating in Sri Lanka and around the world.
This is my third New Year celebration in Sri Lanka; my family and I have grown fond of the many traditions and values that are celebrated by people all around your beautiful island at this special time.
These traditions, ones that are shared across communities, remind all of us how much people here have in common. People may speak different languages and follow different faiths, but I see hospitality, generosity and goodwill towards neighbours running through the New Year celebrations. These are all things that remind us why peace, reconciliation, happy relationships are so important.
The New Year holiday is an occasion that, each year, brings families and friends together. It gives all of us reason to look forward to the New Year with hope for the future and the opportunities which, if we take them and make wise use of them, it will bring.
Together with all of my staff here at the British High Commission, may I wish Sri Lankans everywhere a New Year that brings a fresh sense of community, peace and opportunity.
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