April New Year

Planets to roll
Making our lives too roll
Pisces goes and Aries comes
Under the power of the Sun
Heralding another April New Year
With greater brilliance than ever
A historical, remarkable April
Coming after the defeat of 'terrorism'
Ending a war of 30 years,
And renewing customs and morals
Uniting all races in a unitary isle.

The Sun, the unique symbol of equality
Can make or mar the world
That's why our ancestors
Respected Sun as a god.
Annually celebrating the event.

Every house has a new look
Every house smells of milkrice
Oil cakes and other sweetmeats,
The extended families get together
Dine and share gifts together
Worshipping elders with betel
Thus continuing our traditional values.
There's no enjoyment greater
Than seeing one another,
Material gifts are all secondary,
A whole nation dining at the same moment
Is unique to Sri Lanka. How fine!

Different communities dine and play together
Promoting unity in diversity
In our unitary Sri Lanka,
Old sports must be renewed
But risky events should be avoided.
Not costly pageants and meaningless contests
But simple ceremonies can be organised,
Events in everyday life
Should be highlighted and awarded.

Our honour, tribute and gratitude
To all those who contributed
Both living and dead
For their historical victory
Of freeing Mother Lanka's territory
From the grip of terrorists
After 30 years of bloodshed.

War is done!
Peace begun!
May hatred and violence vanish
May friendship and peace flourish
In our beloved Motherland
Sri Lanka, our beautiful island!

Malini Hettige.

Welcome the New Year

Thamil calendar shows Chithirai as the first month,
And Thamil New Year falls on the first day of this month
Chithirai is at the entrance of spring,
Which brings rains and cuckoos to sing

Force the darkness of ignorance to depart,
And light the lamp of love to glow bright
To make way for right and fair behaviour everywhere,
We warmly welcome the New Year

Respect everyone with heart and help each other,
To make life sweet as sugar
Let the torments flee, to live without fear,
We warmly welcome the New Year

Lovely sight of flowers seen in spring
Peace blooms in the garden of love and understanding
By the grace of God to live with pleasure,
We warmly welcome the New Year

K. K. Arumainayagam