May Thai Pongal bring prosperity to all: PM
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said that Thai Pongal, the Hindu festival traditionally dedicated to the offering of thanks to the Sun God - Surya had become a very important festival as permanent peace and harmony have been restored within Sri Lanka.
In a Thai Pongal message he extended his greetings and best wishes on account of a prosperous Thai Pongal festival day where the sun god was worshiped in pleading for fertility.
The message further said:
“Thai Pongal symbolises the dawn of the new year and the Hindus living around the world as well as in Sri Lanka consider it a festival with prime importance in which they show their gratitude towards the sun god who helps them to have a good harvest, with rain which provides water for the animals too which they use for their cultivations. Hindus believe that their lives become fine when the sun dawns from Makara Sankranthiya on the first day of January. Thai Pongal festival which brings new life to Hindu community is a unique festival for them.
The Thai Pongal which pays tributes to all and seeks the peace and harmony has become a very important festival as permanent peace and harmony have been restored within Sri Lanka. The war prolonged for years has been permanently combated and the environment to live in peace and harmony, not only in the North and East but also in the entire country had been created.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who pioneered to create permanent peace within the country had taken a number of progressive steps to develop the North and East and this had made the lives of the people living in those areas more comfortable. The prosperity created within the community had made their lives rich.
My fervent hope is that Thai Pongal should bring all prosperity to the Sri Lankan Tamils as well as the entire population of the world.”
My fervent hope is that Thai Pongal should bring all prosperity to the Sri Lankan Tamils as well as the entire population of the world