Great opportunity to build communal harmony: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said that Deepavali festival provides a great opportunity for us to build communal reconciliation and mutual understanding among the people of various races and religions.

In a special message to coincide with the Depavali festival which falls tomorrow, he said People in the world celebrate their victories by holding various celebrations to rejoice triumphs, elation and freedom achieved by the human society, defeating sufferings through self determination.

He further said:

As the Vesak festival of Buddhists, Deepavali of Hindus, the festival of lights is a historic celebration, which bestowed freedom to the human society by defeating the evil. In view of that, I believe that this kind of cultural events will be a great opportunity

May the lamps illuminate in Deepavali will pave the way to gain victory of knowledge over ignorance

to build communal reconciliation and mutual understanding among the people in an environment where we live anticipating the reconciliation and harmony.

The Deepavali cultural festival that celebrates with utmost devotion by not only the Sri Lankan Hindus, but also the Hindus throughout the world will pave the way to build brotherly relationship between the countries.

May the lamps illuminate in Deepavali will pave the way to gain victory of knowledge over ignorance, and I wish all the Hindus in Sri Lanka and abroad who celebrate Deepavali be bestowed with happiness and prosperity and illuminate their lives with wisdom.