Deepavali greetings from President [September 27 2008]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa extending his Deepavali greetings to all Sri Lankan Hindus on the occasion of Deepavali, said the festival, a significant event in the Hindu religious calendar celebrates prosperity and spreads light of wisdom.

It symbolises the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, he said. The message added: Being a unifying force, the devotions at Deepavali would seek to encourage great unity, amity and understanding among all people inhabiting our country irrespective of their ethnic, religious, class distinctions. On this noble day let us reaffirm our commitment to unite the country and build a society where everybody could live in peace, harmony, dignity and freedom. May the spirit of Deepavali, the 'Festival of Lights' illuminate our land. I wish a happy Deepavali to all Sri Lankan Hindus