Sri Lanka, Jan. 15 -- "I extend my heartfelt greetings to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and abroad who celebrate the Thai Pongal festival, marking a pride tradition that expresses gratitude for the dignity of labour and the protection bestowed by nature.Sri Lanka travel

This noble festivity manifests the world the inseparable bond between human life and nature. We are all creations of nature. There is no path we can take in defiance of nature or beyond it. In that sense, showing respect and gratitude in return for the blessings we receive from nature can be regarded as one of the highest human virtues.

As a nation, we stand today at a decisive turning point. We bear the collective responsibility of steering the country towards a "new er...