Voice of the People Mixed sentiments by shoppers ahead of Avurudu

Shoppers flocking to purchase clothes at discounted rates for the New year 
- Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe A vendor at 2nd Cross Street, Pettah, folding a bed sheet which is for sale

• There is a growing concern about how the current cost of living may affect the spirit of the New Year season
• Some opined that the crowds are much smaller this season, mainly because people only have money to purchase basic necessities
• A section of shoppers said that times are good for those who are financially stable, but tough for those who aren’t

By Zainab Hussein

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, or Avurudu, is one of the most significant and cherished celebrations in Sri Lanka. This festival, which falls in April annually, is marked by cultural rituals, family gatherings, and a strong community bond. However, as Sri Lanka approaches Avurudu celebrations, there is a growing concern about how the current cost of living may affect the spirit of the New Year season. In this context, it’s important to grasp how people perceive the festivities amidst economic hardships and whether there are notable differences between the current government’s role and that of previous administrations in addressing these challenges. 

Daily Mirror spoke to several vendors and customers at the Pettah marketplace to gather their views on this year’s Avurudu celebrations and gain a broader understanding of public sentiment, particularly in light of the current economic landscape in Sri Lanka.
Suresh Perera, 46, a vendor from Trincomalee, who was seen selling clothes shared his thoughts: “Business hasn’t been great this year. Usually, during the Avurudu season in April, we hire around six to seven workers, but this time, we have only two. As you can see, the crowd is much smaller these days, mainly because people don’t have the money to spend on anything other than basic necessities. While big businesses are making millions in profits, we small vendors only make a few bucks. If we had that kind of money, we wouldn’t be stuck here selling clothes on the pavement—that’s the truth. We haven’t received any subsidies from the government either. While I believe this government is making an effort, the results are slow. They have some excellent ideas and proposals, but they need to be implemented soon to address the needs of ordinary people.”
Raneesha Pathirana, 23, a customer from Weyangoda said, “Times are good for those who are financially stable, but tough for those who aren’t—that’s the harsh reality. Personally, I don’t see much of a difference with the current government. It’s the same story no matter who rises to power; the challenges and struggles that we citizens face on a daily basis remain unchanged. Overall, I don’t see any progress as such.” 
M. Shafeek, 42, a vendor from Wattala heartily said “The prices of some of our clothes have gone down, including that of denim jeans which used to cost Rs. 4,000 can now be bought for around Rs. 2,700. Personally, I think this government has done a good job so far. In fact, some of our customers have mentioned that things are slightly better, both in terms of their financial situation and the prices of goods.” 
Rukma Jayasinghe, 60, a customer from Bollegala expressed optimism about this year’s Avurudu celebrations. She said, in particular, that there has been a noticeable improvement in the prices of goods, highlighting how this has had a positive impact on her ability to enjoy the festivities this year. 
O.K.D Ananda, 56, a sarong vendor from Ambilipitiya remarked, “Business has remained pretty much the same, with no major changes compared to previous years. But, there’s nothing to complain about since we’re managing well, especially with the Avurudu season, and sales were also good during Ramadan last month.” 
M. Shajee, 34, a vendor from Panadura, selling ladies’ footwear, commented, “Business is a bit slower than usual at the moment, and as you can see, the crowd is smaller. It’s clear that people aren’t spending as much, and many have to wait until they receive their wages before making purchases for occasions like this. However, when looking at the bigger picture, I see huge progress compared to previous regimes, and there’s definitely potential with the current government.”
Mahesh, 33 from Malwana, who was out shopping with his wife and kids, shared his thoughts on the current situation: “I’d say things are almost the same. I understand that the government is relatively new, but so far, I haven’t noticed much of a change, particularly in the economy of the country. Despite hopes for improvement, life is quite tough with the current cost of living.”
The mixed public sentiments show that while some vendors and customers express optimism about the present government’s handling of ongoing issues, some are not too satisfied with the current cost of living. As the Avurudu celebrations approach, hope for a prosperous future remains despite citizens’ hardships, which continue to shape their experiences and expectations.

“While I believe this government is making an effort, the results are slow. They have some excellent ideas and proposals, but they need to be implemented soon”
- Suresh Perera, vendor from Trincomalee

“Personally, I don’t see much of a difference with the current government. It’s the same story no matter who rises to power; the challenges and struggles that we citizens face on a daily basis remain unchanged”
- Raneesha Pathirana, a customer from Weyangoda

“The prices of some of our clothes have gone down, including that of denim jeans which used to cost Rs. 4,000 can now be bought for around Rs. 2,700. Personally, I think this government has done a good job so far”
- M. Shafeek, Vendor from Wattala

“Business has remained pretty much the same, with no major changes compared to previous years. But, there’s nothing to complain about since we’re managing well”
- O.K.D. Ananda, A Sarong Vendor from Ambilipitiya