CDS WISHES THE TRI-SERVICES PERSONNEL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS SINHALA AND TAMIL NEW YEAR

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil extended greetings and best wishes to all the military personnel of Tri-Services, Police and their family members at the dawn of this Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2023.

The month of Bak (April), which represents prosperity in the Sinhalese calendar, is when the sun moves from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) in the celestial sphere; Sri Lankans celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year or "Aluth Awurudu".

The CDS emphasized that this New Year 2023 is so special because the preparations to welcome this great festival began weeks in advance after a pause of three years since the prevailed pandemic period and its aftermath. Therefore, armed forces personnel and their families together with all Sri Lankans have been able to celebrate this New Year with deliciously mouthwatering sweetmeats and traditional fun activities giving priority to the generations practiced customs and rituals. He also said that in the end of the harvest season, this unique and long-aged festival brings all the Sri Lankans together to welcome the New Year.

General Shavendra Silva also in his New Year message respectfully recalled the memories of the gallant war heroes who enabled the dawn of a peaceful future making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. He also wished speedy recovery to the ones who were wounded in action.

Inviting all the members of the proud Tri-Services to be strong to serve the motherland and commit themselves to protect the hard-earned peace for future generations and assist the general public at challenging times, General Shavendra Silva wished the members of the Tri-Services and Police and their families a peaceful, happy, and prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2023.