Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Sydney in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Tamil community conducted a special Hindu religious observance and invoking of blessings at the Consulate General on 22nd October 2017 to celebrate Deepavali, the festival of light.
Rev. Priest Siva Sri Chandrasegara Appasamy Kurukkal of Sydney Murugan Temple and Arumugam Iyer conducted the Hindu religious observances and invoked blessings on the Government of Sri Lanka, the Consulate General and those who were present on the occasion.
Representatives from the Sri Lanka Association, Ceylon Society, and Tamil Senior Citizens' Association, Consortium of Tamil Associations NSW, Austra-Lanka Muslim Association, Saiva Manram of Sydney Murugan Temple and the members of the Sri Lankan Tamil community joined the Consulate General in celebrating this special day of the Hindu faith.
Deepavali Messages of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe were read out at the event. Addressing the gathering, Consul General Lal Wickrematunge stated that the Consulate General was pleased to celebrate Deepavali in association with the Sri Lankan Tamil community and the Sri Lankan Associations in Sydney. He added that Deepavali, the festival of light represents hope over despair, knowledge over ignorance and inclusiveness over isolation. The Consul General further stated that inclusiveness, acceptance and respect to each other bring all Sri Lankans together.
On behalf of the Tamil Community, Mr A. Sivathondan, President of the Tamil Seniors Association and Treasurer of Saiva Manram of Sydney Murugan Temple appreciated the initiative of the Consul General in organizing this event at the Consulate and commended the work carried out by him so far in serving all Sri Lankan communities in Sydney irrespective of their ethnicity and in promoting goodwill among all. He further stated that, together all should strive to build a bridge between the Sri Lankan communities.
The official function was conducted in both Tamil and English languages by Mr Abdul Raheem, Consul. Traditional Sri Lankan Tamil cuisine was served at the end of the event.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Sydney
