Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa used his Sinhala and Tamil New Year message to criticise the government’s handling of the recent auspicious time table dispute, while calling for unity and sustainable economic solutions.
Premadasa described the Sinhala and Tamil New Year as the nation’s most significant shared cultural celebration, rooted in spiritual, moral, and recreational traditions. He stressed that preserving this cultural heritage is a collective responsibility.
However, the opposition leader pointedly criticised what he called government interference in the recent Nakath Pathraya (auspicious time table) dispute, saying it raised “serious questions about respect for cultural values.” The controversy over the traditional New Year astrological timetable had drawn public attention in the lead-up to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations.
Premadasa also highlighted the economic hardships facing many Sri Lankans, noting that families continue to struggle with rising costs and mental stress. He called for “meaningful empowerment through sustainable, long-term solutions” rather than temporary relief measures — an implicit criticism of the government’s recent concessional relief package.
“The New Year represents an opportunity to move forward by learning from past shortcomings,” Premadasa said, reaffirming his commitment to working towards a comprehensive economic programme.
The message struck a notably different tone from President Dissanayake’s New Year address, which focused on renewal, unity and resilience without addressing the Nakath controversy directly.
