Peace, prosperity and greater trust - President
The spirit of revival and rededication that is part of the Thai
Pongal festival looks to the future with great hope and expectation of
peace, harmony and understanding in our society, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa said in a Thai Pongal message.
The message: "I am pleased to send this message of greetings to the
Hindus of Sri Lanka as they join their fellow religionists the world
over to mark the most widely celebrated Hindu Festival of Sri Lanka.
Thai Pongal which falls on the first day of the month of Thai has a
hallowed tradition as a festival of the Sun that is the source of good
harvests, and a harvest festival that celebrates the rewards reaped by
the hard work of cultivators.
The celebrations of Thai Pongal emphasize the plurality of our
society as the Hindus of Sri Lanka demonstrate the ties to their rich
cultural heritage. The spirit of revival and rededication that is part
of this festival looks to the future with great hope and expectation of
peace, harmony and understanding in our society.
On this Thai Pongal Festival my thoughts go out specially to the many
Hindus who continue to be held in bondage by those who claim to fight
for their liberation.
On this special day of hope, I am glad to assure all Hindus of Sri
Lanka that the time for the liberation of their brothers and sisters in
faith, who are also my own brothers and sisters as citizens of Sri Lanka
is near at hand, as we strive to restore freedom and democracy in full
measure to the North of our country.
I wish the Hindus of Sri Lanka a happy Thai Pongal and together with
them pray for peace, prosperity and greater trust and understanding
among all people of Sri Lanka in the coming year."
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