In a New Year message he said that his wish is that the people will have strength and courage to make this a year of victory for the nation.

Distancing from the politics of hate that gives strength to separatism, should be high among our New Year resolutions, the President said.

Full text of the message:

We welcome the dawn of this New Year with great expectations for nation building in the future. We step into the Year 2015 with the firm determination to fulfill these expectations.

We have been able to fully achieve our hopes and expectations held at the beginning of each year in the last decade. Within a span of a decade we have been able to carry out a century’s tasks of nation building. Our future responsibility is to safeguard all those achievements and proceed with the tasks of nation building. This is indeed a great challenge.

The separatism that was defeated with great commitment and sacrifice is raising its head again in different forms. Distancing from the politics of hate that gives strength to separatism, should be high among our New Year resolutions. All those who value national unity and the sovereignty of the country should look far ahead with single-minded determination to protect the nation.

I will leave no room for anyone to take the country back from the victories we have gained. The singular expectation of the people is to see such security for the nation.

The wish in this New Year is a commitment to work with determination and patience to safeguard the Motherland we have built, and take it further to heights of world-winning achievements. It is my wish that you will have strength and courage to make this a year of victory for the nation.

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Mahinda Rajapaksa
January 01, 2015