‘A day that should be celebrated with devotion’

Maha Shiva Rathri is a festival that should be celebrated with devotion, sans religious affiliations, by all Sri Lankans, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said.

The Prime Minister in a message to mark Maha Shiva Rathri celebrated by Hindus today, said Maha Shiva Rathri is the day when Hindus around the world worship deities for the fulfillment of wishes for their well-being.

The message: “A close study of Hindu legends and Maha Shiva Rathri poojas reveal that God Siva grants redress to everybody who seeks solace irrespective of his or her religion. “More important are self - confidence and pure consciousness of that particular devotee.

“Maha Shivaratri could be interpreted as the day that wishes and resolutions of all Sri Lankans bear fruit within a just and righteous society which is created with the leadership and guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“Though it did not draw much of attention, I wish to state that the marriage between a War Hero from the South and a displaced young woman from the North was a proof of the grace of God Siva on each one of us. On Maha Shivaratri, it is only for such harmonious bonds between our ethnic groups that we should seek blessings from God Siva.

“I wish all Hindu devotees and all other Sri Lankans every success in their endeavors with the grace of God Siva.”