It is Sinhala and Tamil New Year today.
According to the all the TV and Radio channels and some news papers says it is the most grand scale celebrations after 3 decades.
For some of the people it is true, such as soilders who had been working in the N/E, this is one of the best ever celebrations for their life. Because, they were living with all the tensions all the time as they did not have any hope for future.
But, 19th May 2009 changed the way of life for the soilders who were sweating at the jungles or camps during the new year celebrations.
But, we forget one thing. There are hundreds of thousands of people who were displaced due to the same war are still living in the IDP camps. According to the official estimates it is 83,000 people still at the camps. But, we saw the reality of those who were resettled there at North.
They are just living with out having proper shelter, protection, livelihood or livelihood assistance. Even the official support provided by the government, the 25,000 rupees for the housing will also be halt as there is no money according to UNHCR officials. So, can we celebrate new year while hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters are still no income, no livelihood, no protection, and so no hope or future for them?
If some one says, this the most grand scale new year after 3 decades, YES, it is true for some people in the SOUTH.
But, even people who are having a concious HEART and MIND in the SOUTH can celebrate the New Year as the media or the politicians says?
I am 100% sure, we can not think this as a NATION.
DOn't we consider those people in the camps, under the trees as our citizens in the coutry.
Don't they belong to the category whom we consider as the Sri Lankans?
But, please see the report below how the government lead media reported yesterday over the New Year Celebrations at Sri Lanka.
So, I wish my fellow citizens who have Heart and Mind to see the reality and to act with Power and Courgae to Change this situation in the coming year, 2010.
Herman Kumara,
14.04.10
Sri Lanka: New Year on grand scale Daily News| April 13, 2010
http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story
COLOMBO: Countrywide celebrations are to be held on an unprecedented scale to mark the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wednesday. For the first time in three decades, the North and the East have joined in the festivities with the dawn of peace. Reports coming in from the provinces confirm brisk shopping and enthusiastic preparations for festive activities. A large influx of tourists has seen almost full occupancy in holiday resorts countrywide…
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