On 17 October 2025, the Embassy of Sri Lanka hosted a Deepavali celebration, honouring the traditional ‘festival of lights’ with the esteemed presence of Kurukkal Shankaran Sivacharyar, a priest from the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland.
The event included traditional Hindu rituals led by Kurukkal Sivacharyar, who offered blessings to the Ambassador, Embassy staff, and all Sri Lankans, invoking wishes for peace and prosperity. The Embassy grounds were beautifully decorated with intricate ‘Kolam’ patterns and illuminated with oil lamps, creating a joyful and vibrant ambiance.
The Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, conveyed warm greetings to the Hindu devotees, highlighting the essence of Deepavali as a celebration of knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, light over darkness, and the religious observances centered around Hindu Deities Lakshmi, Ganesh, Vishnu & Siva.
This occasion underscores the Embassy's ongoing engagement with the Sri Lankan origin community, while celebrating the rich multiculturalism & multi religious aspects of Sri Lanka.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington D.C.
23 October 2025
