Deepavali celebrations in Canberra

The Sri Lanka High Commission celebrated Deepavali on 9 November at the High Commission premises with the participation of the Canberra Sri Lankan community and the Sri Vishnu Shiva Mandir.

The celebration commenced with a pooja conducted by Pandith Pradeep Bhat to invoke blessings, followed by devotional songs performed by Jeyanthi Kumaranayakam. Former lecturer at University of Jaffna Yogeswary Ganeshalingam spoke about the significance of Deepavali. Addressing the gathering High Commissioner Somasundaram Skandakumar said, “If our thoughts when in a place of worship are matched by our deeds when we are outside it, the essence of Deepavali which is triumph of good over evil and light over darkness will prevail everywhere.”

The Sri Lankan Hindu community in Canberra helped in decorating the High Commission with lights and traditional adornments signifying the Festival of Lights.