News
Avurudu in Mannar a truly national celebration with Army, Police backing
Avurudu is all about celebrating hallowed traditions and new beginnings. For those rebuilding their lives in the former conflict areas,
Thusath: It has been good since the end of the war
there is a sense of peace and prosperity reaching them slowly, but steadily.
Mannar town, the bustling modern township is dominated by Hindu temples, mosques and churches, the population is made up of mainly Muslims and Hindus.
The Sri Lanka Army, together with the Mannar police, organised Avurudu celebrations just like in any other part of Sri Lanka, and the whole of Mannar town gathered for the celebrations, regardless of whether they celebrate the New Year or not.
Sivaprakasam: This year was hard
Speaking to the Sunday Times, S.C. Wajudeen, a Muslim salesman, said, “I don’t celebrate Avurudu, but the Hindus do so very grandly. Every year Avurudu has been celebrated since the war ended. We are very happy. The Army is very good with the people. They celebrate Avurudu with the Hindu people in Mannar.”
Suresh Kumar echoed his views. “It has been very peaceful since the war ended. We are very happy. Business is good. As Hindus we celebrate the New Year just as the Sinhala people do, with the auspicious times and rituals being observed.”
F.M. Thusath said everyone gets together to celebrate the New Year. “This year it was, economically, a bit difficult, because of the drought that destroyed crops and also the situation we had to face because of Indian fishermen. In comparison, celebrations were bit muted this year. Other than that, it has been good since the war ended.”
Others like Mr Sivaprakasam noted that times were hard. “The last few years after the war, I celebrated the New Year very much in style, but not this year. This year was hard. Not because of anything else, but because of the economy. Income is very low and it’s hard to live. I didn’t celebrate Avurudu this year like in past years. I went to the Thirikeshwaram Temple early morning before the
Suresh Kumar: We are happy now
auspicious times began, because as Hindus, we have to bathe in Maruththu Neer (herbal water) given by the Kovil before anything else. After that, just like the Sinhalese, we have to engage in the New Year rituals at the auspicious times.”
He works at his brother’s grocery shop because he lost his job recently. According to Sivaprakasam, sales had gone down noticeably this year.
According to the Mannar police, Sinhala and Tamil New Year was celebrated very peacefully. Shops were mostly open like on any other day.
Peace brings business, say Mannar Town’s traders