When we visited Jaffna town last week, it appeared to be buzzing with life. People were attending to their New Year shopping while Tamil music blared in the background--probably from the shops that were being decorated for the festivities. Buses were plying and young girls were cycling to temple even as dusk fell.

These are scenes that were rarely seen in the recent past. However, people still live in fear, although the government claims that troops have successfully eliminated rebels operating in the town area, ushering a sense of freedom for the people.

We warmly welcome the Sinhala and Tamil New Year which brings unity and prosperity, states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a New Year message. The message adds: We know that agriculture and the abundance of it gives birth to the New Year.

A major activity of our Government during the period that elapsed was devoted to ensure the prosperity of the land through the empowerment of agriculture.

We know that the nation has reaped its excellent achievements.

Hence, it is comforting that this New Year has dawned at a time when the nation is conscious of its dignity.