Apr 16, Colombo: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Saturday extended his "warmest greetings to all those celebrating the Tamil New Year 'Chithirai Puththandu,'" on behalf of the government of Canada in a press release, the TamilNet website reported.
“This celebration provides an ideal opportunity to highlight the important role your members play in the community, a role that is reflective of your hard work and proud achievements. As you gather with friends and family to visit the Temple to pray for peace and prosperity for the coming year, you may take great satisfaction in the many contributions you have made to the social and economic development of our nation,” the press release issued by his office said.
Prime Minister Harper only has to search in Wikipedia to find that the New Year belongs to both Sinhalese and Tamil and it is the most important holiday in Sri Lanka.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a nation-wide festival that brings people from all corners of Sri Lanka together to set aside the differences and celebrate the dawn of a new year of peace and happiness. Expatriate Sri Lankans all over the world also celebrate the New Year with festivities including religious traditions.
Who could have informed the Prime Minister of the New Year but failed to mention that the holiday was shared by Sinhalese and Tamils alike? These sources have found an innocuous way to provide information to the Prime Minister's office.
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