COLOMBO : “The New Year which approaches with the annual transition of the Sun, is a time of celebration of the timeless link between the environment, nature and man”, said Naseer Ahamed, Minister of Environment in his new year felicitation message. “After reaping the harvest, our ancestors used to commence the season of Avurudu, a period of bliss, togetherness, flourishing inter-relations, and often the period in which the people express their sense of identity as a nation.
This month is also named as “Bak”, since it is the season of prosperity. We name this as the New Year since it is a blossoming period of happiness and joy, in which flowers bloom and fruits ripe announcing the nature’s beauty”, Minister further stated.
“It is time we pay adequate attention to understand the deep meaning of this most precious traditional cultural and nature’s ceremony called the New Year, especially as it is now submissive to the market mechanisms and consumer demands. “Although we are the children of Mother Nature, we have gradually kept it away from this most important cultural event. Now, we have reached a point where we feel the imperative need for realigning with Mother Nature. “Proposing that while enjoying the results of the efforts of our own victories so far, we must collectively commit ourselves to fulfill the national expectations, I wish the dearest people of this country as well as the Sri Lankans living abroad a peaceful and prosperous New Year”. Minister Ahamed said.
Minister Ahamed also spearheaded the “Nekathata Pelayak – 2023” programme island wide by planting a sampling at the auspicious time at the premises of the Central Environment Authority.
