The change of guard in Sri Lanka has prompted the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) to lift the self-imposed restriction on celebrating and exchanging greetings on the occasion of Pongal, after a gap of six years.
Speaking at a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Cuddalore Old Town area, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said that since the Mullivaikkal massacre in Sri Lanka in 2009, in which a large number of Eelam Tamils were annihilated, the party had given up celebrating Tamil New Year and Pongal festival.
However, with the trouncing of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the just-concluded elections and assuming of office by Maithripala Sirisena, just before the festival, the VCK had now seen reason to resume Pongal celebrations.
