New Year festivities:

Army teams up with civilians in the North

by P. Krishnaswamy

Sri Lanka’s valiant soldiers who defeated the LTTE, the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit in May 2009 and have since been involved in the demining and resettlement process are now getting ready to celebrate the Sinhala and Hindu New Year on a larger scale than ever before in the Northern Province.

People who were resettled in the province have started their livelihood activities. The Army will join hands with the people and the Government administrative authorities, including Government Agents, Divisional Secretaries and Grama Niladharis to celebrate the New Year which will feature cultural, sports, religious, traditional and other events, sources said.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Ubaya Medawala told the Sunday Observer that they would organise the celebrations in every GS division where battalions are deployed in the North and the East with the support of the local community and the civil administrative authorities.

In some areas more than one GS division will combine with others for the festive celebrations, he said. The celebrations will be spread over one week beginning tomorrow, he said.

Government Agents of all five districts of the Northern Province said that they would team up with the Army in celebrating the New Year events while also organising several functions which would include cultural, traditional, sports and other events.

Mannar GA N. Vedanayagan said that people resettled and started their livelihood activities in an atmosphere of peace and would participate in the celebrations.

The Paddy Marketing Board is now buying their paddy at fixed prices, unlike during the last season, and moreover they are getting ready to cultivate for the next Maha season, he said. New Year celebrations will be organised at grassroots levels, he said.

Jaffna GA Imelda Sukumar said that the Government authorities participating in celebrations organised by the Army, were having their own celebrations sponsored by ITN’s Tamil channel Vasantham TV and the main program will be at Velvettithurai. A Tourist Guide Book and a Telephone Directory for Jaffna will be released on New Year’s day at the Jaffna Secretariat, she said.

Gifts for children will also be given under the patronage of voluntary organisations, she said.