““IT GIVES ME IMMENSE PLEASURE to address you at the dawn of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year when Sri Lankans of all ethnicities, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burgher, living in this resplendent island, popularly called the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ eagerly await the joy of peace.”, so said Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka in his New Year Message.
“From time immemorial, Sri Lankans are used to celebrate this cultural festival, symbolizing unity and mutual cooperation among all Sri Lankan communities giving prominence to traditional and religious rites and rituals. It is your commendable contribution that ushered an era to celebrate this festival of national and cultural significance for people of all four corners in the island ending the country’s thirty year-long cycle of violence.
Your dedication towards this noble cause to eliminate terrorism, from the entire north after the liberation of the Mavil-Aru in 2006 and followed by continuous victories needless to mention is acclaimed by all Sri Lankans.
We have been able to reduce the LTTE landscape to a tiny swathe of 23 sq km land from previous 13,000 sq km. At the same time, the LTTE, crazy after the dream of Eelam, during recent times, faced the most humiliating defeat that they ever experienced in the history losing around 18,000 of their barbaric fighting terrorist cadres. Further, we destroyed their weaponry, planes and sea craft acquired with the help of various organizations which gave a life-line to LTTE. Our victorious Security Forces have earned worldwide reputation as one of the most disciplined professional Forces with heroism and tactics. We cannot forget at this stage the guidance of His Excellency, the President as Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces and the assistance of the Ministry of Defence during all our triumphant endeavors. We believe that we will continue to receive this assistance in this New Year too.
Civilians being held hostage by the LTTE have now begun to place their trust in humanitarian operations conducted by the Security Forces. Hospitality, friendliness, kindness and other noble qualities shown by you towards those civilians on their arrival to cleared areas have proved that we are a disciplined and friendly Army who admires humanity while fighting for nothing but to establish peace for all Sri Lankans. Ever rising number of civilians reaching cleared areas and their utterances confirm this truth. Those who are still under LTTE detention will see to their freedom soon.
Every Sri Lankan citizen warmly admires peace, friendship and cooperation. The whole nation is under the impression that the country would be blessed with a peaceful society in the near future. On this noble day, let’s determine to make their wish a reality.
It is you, the heroic soldiers, who created a conducive environment for all Sri Lankans to live today. That is the reason for the whole nation to place its sincere gratitude to our soldiers. Religious performances in Buddhist temples, Hindu Kovils, churches and mosques throughout the island blessing the Security Forces and various donations being made to War Heroes by our people, community organizations and institutions testify to this goodwill. All these are done to admire your invaluable service; and also to ensure that you are not left alone in the battlefield.
There are many whose contributions for the creation of this pleasant today for all fellow countrymen of all communities served us a lot. Some of them are not living with us today; some have gone missing while some more have become disable. But the air that sweeps across with their last-will for peace to the motherland motivates us to complete the mission. Let’s dedicate for it. Our objective should be to eliminate the terrorism and the LTTE’s “Eelam Dream” entirely from the country and let the flowers of peace blossom in the near future, as expected by all of us.
On this noble day, join me to pay heartiest tributes to those who lost their lives, went missing and received injuries in the war. I, at the same time, wish that everybody’s heart be filled with noble feelings for the sake of those contemporary War Heroes. I further extend my gratitude to the War Heroes’ their beloved ones and parents who after hard upbringing donated their brave sons and daughters to the nation who paid the supreme sacrifice for a worthy cause as “Guardians of the Nation”. I wish fast recovery to soldiers undergoing treatment for their injuries sustained during the war. I take this opportunity to extend my New Year wishes to soldiers who are now fighting in the last leg of the war front and all members of the civilian staff.
I am well aware that every one of you may not join your parents, children and other members of the family to celebrate this festive season. But your dedication and courage undoubtedly allows all others to celebrate it with their families. I know you are extremely happy about that. The whole nation is aware of that too. All citizens in the country revere you for it on this noble day. I convey my sincere heart-felt wishes to all who admire our soldiers, “Guardians of the Nation.”
May the Sinahala and Hindu New Year be a peaceful and prosperous one to you!”
