Holding the guidance provided by Islam in high esteem, the Muslims in Sri Lanka have contributed to the country's development as well as to protection of its sovereignty, state President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message to mark Eid ul-Fitr festival.

In the message, President further said Muslims from every corner of the country are free to celebrate the festival today. They are delighted with this situation, as they recall the great commitment made to achieve this much anticipated freedom.

Full text of the message:

I am pleased to send this message on the occasion of the Eid ul-Fitr festival, celebrated with much enthusiasm by devotees of Islam.

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of fasting and religious rituals in the Islam faith. It is with much eagerness and zeal that the Muslims in Sri Lanka join their brothers in faith in the world to take part in this most important festival, having observed the teachings of the Holy Quran and Holy Prophet Muhammad in their religious activities.

The Muslims in Sri Lanka have been living in harmony with other ethnic and religious communities through the long history of our country. In so doing, they have held the guidance provided by Islam in high esteem, contributing to the country's development as well as to protection of its sovereignty.

Muslims from every corner of the country are free to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr today. They are delighted with this situation, as they recall the great commitment made to achieve this much anticipated freedom.

In keeping with the teachings of Islam, we should unite as one nation to achieve prosperity.

I extend my warm good wishes to all devotees of Islam celebrating the Eid ul-Fitr festival in Sri Lanka today.

Eid Mubarak!