A powerful New Year moment unfolds in Galnewa as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake shares Avurudu rituals with a family rebuilding life after disaster, symbolizing resilience, unity, and hope.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake marked the Sinhala and Tamil New Year by visiting a newly rebuilt home in Galnewa, creating a deeply symbolic and emotional moment during the festive season. The visit took place at the residence of H.M. Indrajith Sampath Senaratne in the Malbeligala Grama Niladhari Division, where the President joined traditional New Year rituals with the family and local residents.
The house, which had been completely destroyed by Cyclone Ditva, was reconstructed within five months under a government compensation program for fully damaged homes. It stands as one of six newly completed houses in the Galnewa Divisional Secretariat Division, representing a broader housing recovery initiative aimed at restoring communities affected by natural disasters.
Alongside these developments, financial compensation has also been distributed to sixty six partially damaged houses within the same division, highlighting the scale of rehabilitation efforts underway in the region.
During the visit, the President actively participated in Avurudu customs and shared New Year greetings in both Sinhala and Tamil, reinforcing themes of national unity and cultural harmony. His presence brought a sense of encouragement and recognition to the affected families who are gradually rebuilding their lives.
The local residents, who gathered in large numbers, welcomed the President with enthusiasm and extended their own New Year wishes, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere in the village.
Several key government figures were also present at the event, including Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Wasantha Samarasinghe, and Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Management Dr. Susil Ranasinghe. Also in attendance were North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Anuradhapura District MP Susantha Kumara Navaratne, other Members of Parliament, provincial officials, and Anuradhapura District Secretary Ranjith Wimalasuriya.
Family members of Mr. Senaratne and residents of the surrounding area also took part in the occasion, making it a collective community celebration that blended cultural tradition with a message of recovery and renewed beginnings.
