Thai Pongal Message
President hopes for peace, prosperity, trust and understanding 

[Monday, January 14, 2008 - 9.20 GMT]   

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to Sri Lankan Hindus on the occasion of the Thai Pongal Festival hoped for peace, prosperity, trust and understanding in the coming year. 

The Message: 

Sri Lanka’s Hindus join their fellow religionists the world over, today, to celebrate Thai Pongal, the most popular of the Hindu festivals of Sri Lanka. 

Their celebrations will continue the traditions and rituals of the Pongal, which falls on the first day of the month of Thai. This twice hallowed event is a festival of the Sun - the harbinger of good harvests, and a harvest festival celebrated after the farmers have reaped the rewards of hard work in the field. 

In observing the traditions of Thai Pongal, the Hindus of Sri Lanka will show their commitment to protecting a rich cultural heritage, and in keeping with the spirit of revival and rededication that is part of this festival, they will also look to the future with hope and optimism, shared by all people of our country. 

I wish the Hindus of Sri Lanka a happy Thai Pongal and join them in their hopes for peace, prosperity, and greater trust and understanding in the coming year.

Mahinda Rajapaksa 
January 14, 2008