"Let us shed all differences"

With this new year message by president, both the government and LTTE seemed to have reached closer to an agreement. Peace Envoy Eric Solheim said it will take some time to finalise. He is expected arrive in Sri Lanka at the week end to try to jumpstart the faltering peace process.
Solheim is scheduled to visit Puttlam and the east.

"Today is our National New Year. It is a joyous festival and one that is steeped in tradition. This year we observe our National New Year in environs completely different from what we have been used to all these past years," Presdient says.

The Sri Lankan New Year is common to both the Sinhalese and the Tamil people. In that sense it is not a Sinhala or a Hindu New Year but a National New Year.

Our Sinhala and Tamil communities are trussed by a common cultural heritage. To forget and forgive and to ask for forgiveness is a noble New Year tradition nurtured by our forefathers, the president further added.