Hindus across the world celebrate the Diwali or Deepavali Festival today (Oct. 20).
The festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over dark and good over evil, and the arrival of peace and prosperity.
Lamps are lit as a symbol of this while, the day is marked amid prayer and festive cheer.
Meanwhile, the National Deepavali Festival was held at the Sri Manikka Pillayar Kovil in Hatton yesterday morning (Oct.19).
The event was organised by the Board of Trustees of the Sri Manikka Pillayar Kovil.
The ceremony was presided over by the Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi. The Chief Priest of the Sri Manikka Pillayar Kovil conducted a special 'Ashirvada Pooja' to bless the guests attending the National Deepavali Festival.
In his Deepavali message, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stated :
This celebration symbolises the victory of goodness over evil. Currently, our government is undertaking substantial initiatives to address the serious challenges confronting our nation, including the pervasive threat of drug menace and organised crimes, which obstruct our nation's progress. Ensuring the right of every citizen to live safely and promoting this right as fundamental to a good and healthy life remains the primary aim of our endeavours.
Furthermore, as a government, we are committed to safeguarding the physical, mental, material, and emotional well-being not only of our citizens but of all residents and visitors in the country. We emphasise that we act to overcome all religious and ethnic extremism, to establish social justice and to build a safe nation where every individual can freely enjoy all civil, political and cultural rights without hindrance and where the freedom and dignity of all are preserved.
Deepavali is, above all, a festival of light. On this day, as every household illuminates itself with lamps, we pray that the collective path towards fulfilling the hopes for "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life" may become ever more united. I extend my warmest wishes for a blessed and radiant Deepavali to all Sri Lankan and overseas Hindus, hoping that their hearts may shine with the spirit of the festival.