Colombo, Nov 8 (PTI) Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday extended greetings to the Hindu community on Diwali, describing the festival as a symbol of light’s triumph over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
In his message, Dissanayake said the festival offered an opportunity to reaffirm the values of love, compassion, brotherhood and humanity.
“It is with great pleasure that I extend my warm greetings on the occasion of Deepavali, one of the most sacred religious festivals of the Hindu community, which symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance,” he said in a statement.
“Commemorating the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, Hindus engage in religious observances with the hope that, just as righteousness triumphed over unrighteousness, darkness will be dispelled from every heart and the light of goodness will prevail,” he said.
Dissanayake said the true meaning of Diwali extends beyond illuminating homes with the light of oil lamps. “It lies in kindling the light of love, compassion, brotherhood and humanity in the hearts of people,” he said.
The president called for building a “better, more just and compassionate society” by choosing kindness over hatred, coexistence over division and justice over injustice.
Dissanayake asserted that his government remains committed to transforming every sphere of society, the economy and politics, and building a nation that respects all religious and cultural identities and treats everyone with equality and dignity.
“I hope that the path we are collectively pursuing towards building Sri Lanka as an island of peace and humanity, which grows stronger economically and socially and stands with dignity before the world, will be further illuminated by the lamps lit this Deepavali,” he said. PTI GRS
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