Sri Lanka, April 10 -- The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, or Avurudu, is one of the most significant and cherished celebrations in Sri Lanka. This festival, which falls in April annually, is marked by cultural rituals, family gatherings, and a strong community bond. However, as Sri Lanka approaches Avurudu celebrations, there is a growing concern about how the current cost of living may affect the spirit of the New Year season. In this context, it's important to grasp how people perceive the festivities amidst economic hardships and whether there are notable differences between the current government's role and that of previous administrations in addressing these challenges.

Daily Mirror spoke to several vendors and customers at the Pettah...