The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra, Australia celebrated Deepavali, “The festival of Lights” at the High Commission on 25th October 2014. A cross- section of the Sri Lankan Tamil community resident in Canberra, the representatives of the Sri Lankan Associations were present at the event.
The celebrations were held, maintaining the tradition of multiculturalism in Sri Lanka.
The Chief Priest of the Vishnu Shiva Mandir Shri Pradeep Bhat and visiting Priest Shri Krishnamoorthy Bhat conducted the religious observances with an invocation prayer and offered blessings to His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka and Australia and also prayed for harmony among all communities. High Commissioner, Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe whilst welcoming the audience, stressed the significance of religious tolerance and co-existence in Sri Lanka which should pave the way for reconciliation and better understanding. He further stressed the importance of teachings of the great religions represented in Sri Lanka to the younger generations for guidance towards a peaceful society in the future.
Mrs. Paromita Dey sang a number of devotional songs, accompanied by an outstanding violin performance by Mrs. Prathiba Nagapushan, Tabla by Mr.Sukumar Subramaniam and Miruthangam by Mr. Saravanan Kandasamy. The students of Dr. Shibani Mishra, Odissi Dance Academy presented a splendid odissi dance and the students of Mrs. Bhagya Palihawadana, Sri Lanka Dancing School performed a beautiful Sri Lankan dance.
Mr. Thamo Sritharan, Vice- President of the Vishnu Shiva Mandir delivered a speech on the significance of Deepavali, quoting the essence of all religions and emphasising the guidance for the human beings to start new to live peacefully in this materialistic world.
Mr. Periyasamy Pillai Selvaraj, Minister of this Mission delivered the Vote of Thanks.
Following the religious and cultural functions, refreshments were served, which included an array of traditional Hindu Foods, for all participants.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra.
27th October 2014
