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| Sunday, 16 November 2003 |
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Deepavali celebrated in UK at diplomatic level by Reggie Fernando, our London corr. Never since 'Ceylon' opened diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom far back in the late 1940s has Deepavali been celebrated at diplomatic level. Last Friday's observance of this Hindu religious event at the Sri Lanka High Commission was not only a 'first' but a much desired and appreciated exercise as well. High Commissioner Faisz Musthapha said: "No event had been targeted earlier at the Tamil community and certainly I thought we should make an effort. All my colleagues who are Sinhalese were delighted with the idea and having total support from my diplomatic colleagues I decided to hold this function. "Deepavali is a time when Hindus celebrate the victory of good over evil. At personal level most Hindu Tamils engage in reconciliation, forgiveness and building bridges." The High Commissioner further said that this a time when we have to put all the differences behind us and move forward. He added: "I think that message is relevant even at a national level since we are also now going through a critical time. In that context any activity which generates goodwill because there is such a vast reservoir of distrust between the two major communities should be encouraged. We should make a conscious effort to dispel that and we could do that by getting together on occasions such as this." Deepavali is a Festival of Lights and there weren't any religious dignitaries participating as there is no such ritual and the religious component was not required. Over 200 guests made up of the cream of Sri Lankan society - Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and other communities engaged in conversation over many hours that brought particularly the two major communities together under one roof. Sitar and Veena music was provided by a Tamil group. The decor was totally Hindu and the food had a Tamil flavour too. Everyone I spoke to on the phone who had attended the event said that it was a wonderful gesture on the part of the High Commissioner to have organised a function to celebrate Deepavali within the pricints of the High Commission itself. |
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