President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his Thai Pongal message, highlighted the festival’s profound spiritual, cultural, and environmental significance, describing it as a celebration of gratitude, renewal, and collective hope for the future.
The President noted that Thai Pongal, celebrated with deep devotion by Hindu devotees across the world, “is an occasion dedicated to expressing gratitude to the Sun God, to cattle such as cows and bulls that support a successful harvest and to nature itself. Symbolising prosperity and thankfulness, Thai Pongal is not merely a celebration of a bountiful harvest, but also an invitation to embark upon a new journey towards the future with courage and confidence.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced by the nation, President Dissanayake referred to the aftermath of the greatest natural disaster Sri Lanka has experienced in recent times. He stated that the country is currently engaged in the largest reconstruction effort ever undertaken, driven by immense effort and firm determination, and called upon all citizens to join hands more strongly in this collective endeavour.
“In the aftermath of the greatest natural disaster we have faced in recent times, kindling the hope of rising again as a nation, we are together shouldering the greatest reconstruction effort ever undertaken, with immense effort and firm determination.”
The President further underscored the relevance of Thai Pongal in the present context, stating that at a time when the need to draw closer to nature is felt more keenly than ever before, the festival’s deep connection with nature adds profound meaning to both individual lives and society as a whole.
Expressing optimism for the future, President Dissanayake reaffirmed the belief that “there is light after every darkness.” As the nation moves forward with unity and unwavering resolve to overcome challenges and build “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” he expressed hope that this year’s Thai Pongal celebration would be a great blessing.
President’s Thai Pongal Day Message
“The Thai Pongal festival, celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by Hindu devotees across the world, falls today (15).
At Thai Pongal, gratitude is expressed to the Sun God, to cattle such as cows and bulls that support a successful harvest and to nature itself. Symbolising prosperity and thankfulness, Thai Pongal is not merely a celebration of a bountiful harvest, but also an invitation to embark upon a new journey towards the future with courage and confidence.
In the aftermath of the greatest natural disaster we have faced in recent times, kindling the hope of rising again as a nation, we are together shouldering the greatest reconstruction effort ever undertaken, with immense effort and firm determination. On this Thai Pongal Day, which looks forward to prosperity, I once again call upon everyone to come forward and join hands even more strongly with this endeavour.
At a time when the need to draw closer to nature is felt more keenly than ever before, I wish to remind you that the Thai Pongal festival, which is deeply connected with nature, adds profound meaning to our lives and to our society.
We firmly believe that there is light after every darkness. As we move forward with unwavering resolve and unity to overcome challenges and build, ‘A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life’, may this year’s Thai Pongal celebration be a great blessing. I extend my heartfelt best wishes for a joyous and prosperous Thai Pongal to all Sri Lankan Tamils and to Tamils living across the world.”
