Addressing the ceremony in Tamil and Sinhala, the President further said that Sri Lanka is now at the beginning of a new era of development and prosperity where the suffering faced by all the people due to terrorism is over. Hindus can now join with their fellow believers around the world in the joyous spirit of Deepavali, sharing the spirit of the festival with other communities and looking forward to living in harmony in the comfort and tranquility of peace.

He made these comments in his Deepavali massage while participating in the Deepavali National Festival at the President’s House in Nuwars Eliya. Students of Highland College, Hatton and some students, those who have lost their parents from the area also joined the celebration which was hosted by the Head of the State.

The President handed over Deepavali gifts for school children and those who participated for the festival celebrations. A. K. Prishanthan of Highland College, Hatton who won a Bronze Medal at the International Olympiad Mathematics Competition held in Bali Island in Malaysia recently, was gifted a laptop computer.

Ministers C.B. Ratnayake, Arumugam Thondaman, Deputy Minister Muttu Sivalingam, Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Mrs. Pushpa Rajapaksa and the parents of the children were also present at the Hindu religious festival.

Following is the full text of the President’s Deepavali message issued by the President Media Unit.

The significance of Deepavali, known as the Festival of Light, is the expression of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

Celebrated by Hindus the world over, Deepavali is a celebration of the spiritual richness of people as it marks the progress that humans have made in the constant struggle for a better life in keeping with the great spiritual values of Hinduism.

With peace restored in the country, Hindus can now celebrate this festival with freedom and in the spirit of unity that is marked by the increased harmony and understanding among communities irrespective of ethnic, religious and other differences that have kept them apart for a long period.

Sri Lanka is now at the beginning of a new era of development and prosperity where the suffering faced by all our people due to terrorism is over. Hindus can now join with their fellow believers the world over in the joyous spirit of Deepavali, sharing the spirit of the festival with other communities and looking forward to living in harmony in the comfort and tranquility of peace.

May the light of goodwill and peace of Deepavali lead our people to the joy of enlightened harmony. I wish all Hindu devotees a happy and peaceful Deepavali.

Pix by: Sudath Silva