First Family Celebrates New Year

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa celebrated Sinhala and Tamil New Year in the traditional manner at the Carlton Residence in Tangalle along with their sons Namal, Yoshitha, Rohitha and other relatives. Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Minister Johnston Fernando also participated in the celebrations.

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa conducted all the rituals at the auspicious time with the President and other family members assisted her. At the auspicious time for the lighting of the hearth the President, First Lady and many other family members attended the symbolic tradition of boiling milk at the auspicious time.

After observing the traditional New Year customs, the President visited the People’s Bank and Bank of Ceylon branches in Tangalle for traditional money transactions.