“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.
HIS EXCELLENCY the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the first lady Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa accompanied by Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and Mrs. Anoma Fonseka, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) met a cross-section of the soldiers receiving treatment at the Military Hospital, Army Headquarters to extend their new year greetings Sunday (12) Morning. The delegates after visiting every ward in the hospital spoke to them and inquired in to their health condition and exchanged a few thoughts before they gave away gifts to each and every inmate.
AS THE nation celebrates the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year, His Excellency the President is deeply conscious of the need to give the civilian population entrapped as hostages by the ruthless actions of the LTTE, the opportunity to celebrate these festivities in a suitable atmosphere and to have uninhibited freedom of movement from the No Fire Zone to the cleared areas. With this objective in view, His Excellency has directed the Armed Forces of the State to restrict their operations during the New Year to those of a defensive nature.
MULLAITTIVU: ONE more earth bund built by LTTE terrorist in the north of NANTHI KADAL lagoon was captured by troops Sunday (12) morning. Advance of the troops was resisted by LTTE when the troops reached the thin area in the north of NANTHI KADAL lagoon where LTTE had built a 1 km long earth bund. However, troops captured the earth bund defeating LTTE resistance. Later, troops recovered eighteen T-56 weapons, one mortar, one I-com set and one TATA single cab from the area. 
THE ANNUAL “Vavuniya Avurudu Charika” (New Year Visit to Vavuniya) of the Moragahahena Sri Purvarama Buddhist Development Foundation in Horana was organized this year too for the eighteenth consecutive time. Buddhist monks of Moragahahena Sri Purvaramaya temple and dwellers in surrounding villages on 11th April took their Sinhala and Hindu New Year greetings.....