Srilanka, April 14 -- Let us unite in welcoming a New Year filled with joy and prosperity, leaving behind sorrow and tears.

It is with great pleasure that I extend my heartfelt wishes to the beloved people of our nation as we celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year-a cherished cultural tradition of all Sri Lankans. Since ancient times, our people have marked the sun's transition from Pisces to Aries as the beginning of a New Year, also known as the Solar Festival. This season symbolizes abundance: trees bear fruit, harvests flourish, granaries overflow, and a sense of renewed hope and prosperity fills every heart.

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is more than a festive occasion-it is a time that encourages us to act with discipline, uph...