Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Sydney celebrates Deepavali

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Sydney, in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Tamil community, conducted a special Hindu religious observance and invoked blessings at the Consulate General on 22 October to celebrate Deepavali, the festival of lights.

Rev. Priest Siva Sri Chandrasegara Appasamy Kurukkal of Sydney’s Murugan Temple and Arumugam Iyer conducted the Hindu religious observances and invoked blessings on the Sri Lankan Government, the Consulate General and those who were present at 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 the Sydney Murugan Temple and the members of the Sri Lankan Tamil community joined the Consulate General in celebrating this special Hindu festival.

The Deepavali messages of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were read out at the event. Addressing the gathering, Consul General Lal Wickrematunge stated that the Consulate General was pleased to celebrate Deepavali together with the Sri Lankan Tamil community and Sri Lankan associations in Sydney. 

He added that Deepavali, the festival of lights, represents hope over despair, knowledge over ignorance and inclusiveness over isolation. The Consul General further stated that inclusiveness, acceptance and respect for each other brought all Sri Lankans together.

On behalf of the Tamil Community, A. Sivathondan, President of the Tamil Seniors Association and Treasurer of the Saiva Manram of the Sydney Murugan Temple, appreciated the initiative of the Consul General in organising 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 added that together all should strive to build a bridge between Sri Lankan communities.

The official function was conducted in both Tamil and English by Consul Abdul Raheem. Traditional Sri Lankan Tamil cuisine was served at the end of the event.