President Maithripala Sirisena in his message for Deepavali stated that Deepavali plays a key role in building coexistence and reconciliation among different communities.

Stating that Deepavali offers opportunities to nurture stronger cultural relations, president wished all Hindus a happy Deepavali celebrated with devotion to nurture love and moral values.

The complete Deepavali message is as follows:

“It is a pleasure for me to send this message of greetings on the occasion of the festival of Deepavali celebrated by the Hindus throughout the world, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance to inculcate noble values such as spiritual discipline and wisdom in the hearts of the people.

The meaning of the Deepavali is to illuminate the lives of all individuals just as lighting a lamp eliminates darkness, and dispels evil. Deepavali is also a unique cultural festival that builds deep bonds of love and kindness between people.

Cultural ceremonies such as Deepavali plays a pivotal role in building coexistence and reconciliation among different communities that suffered numerous adversities due to separation between communities over the past decades. I believe that Deepavali offers a fresh opportunity for us to foster cultural relations even stronger.

I wish all the Hindus in Sri Lanka and around the world a happy Deepavali festival as they celebrate this important day with utmost devotion to nurture love and moral values.”