In retrospect and looking forward

By Jeannette Cabraal  

The New Year 2026 has already eroded several days but is still in its infancy, opening up vistas of hope, fulfillment, hopeful anticipation and optimism, for “hope springs eternal in the human breast” and always at the dawn of a New Year; with the country spurring on with determination to restore normalcy in the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah and the ensuing deluge.  

This time round the nip in the air that usually spelt Christmas turned out to be a cold shiver that chilled the spine and froze with the destructive effect of Cyclone Ditwah which left a trail of death, disappearance, destruction and despair throughout the country. True enough it completely dampened the spirits of the Sri Lankans who were looking forward to the annual seasonal binge.   

But it was a totally different aspect that unfolded itself. It brought out all that was best in our people which made one proud to be Sri Lankan. The sympathy, the empathy, the reaching out with an abundance of generosity; young and old, haves and have nots, regardless of ethnicity, creed or status; not forgetting the ‘widow’s mite’ and the little boy with a loaf of bread. What admirable magnanimity was displayed. People from all walks of life from all strata of society responded spontaneously with whatever was possible within one’s means .They reacted instantly to the plight of the victims, of the displaced humanely. What an example of fellow–feeling! “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers. That you do unto me.”  

May the same feeling of oneness, of belonging, of unity and magnanimity and the fellow Sri Lankan sentiment overflow into the New Year too like the milk that overflowed from the pot on the hearth on January 1, 2026 in Sri Lankan homes and work places – ‘The milk of human kindness’.   

We as a nation are capable of reaching out promptly and spontaneously in the hour of need, It is one inherent quality in Sri Lankans which was displayed when people risked their lives, even sacrificed their lives to rescue others; daring the waters to supply meals, other necessities, water when there was; “Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.”   

May the same spirit of selflessness, unity and oneness reign in the minds and hearts of our people in the New Year and help restore the country and the lives of the people devastated by the waters to normalcy. Let us be benevolent to nature then nature will be benevolent to us. May the unity and caring of our people help restore and rebuild the country that the Sri Lankan spirit may flourish is my wish and prayer for the people and the country in 2026.   

A New Year raises hopes and aspirations high. That the mystic aura of a brand New year. May not our hopes belie.