President Anura Kumara Dissanayake received a rousing welcome in Jaffna during his visit, which coincided with Thai Pongal celebrations. His visit and the cheerful welcome he received from people in the North carry greater symbolic meaning. In national politics, long polarised along ethnic lines, such a reception for a visiting Head of State elected with majority votes from the majority community is an achievement in healing past wounds and bringing about reconciliation among different communities for common prosperity.