Dec 31, Colombo: Sri Lanka in 2013 will see valuable work for the progress of democracy and equality among people, the country's President, Mahinda Rajapaksa assured today.

"The year dawning today will see valuable work for the progress of democracy, equality among people and important aspects of development in our Motherland," President Rajapaksa said in a New Year message urging all communities to join in unity to achieve those goals.

"We step into this New Year as a country that has gained immense progress in freedom, democracy and the tasks of development, and one that has successfully faced up to many challenges before it," the President noted in his message.

"Similarly, we move into this New Year as a country that has won the confidence of people both at home and abroad. Therefore, it is my belief that all communities will join in unity with the common purpose of success towards realizing these goals.

"The achievement of success in all the tasks before us with determination, commitment and courage is my wish for our Motherland in the Year 2013," he said.

(Photos by Nalin Hewapathirana)