The National Thai Pongal Festival was celebrated in grand style at the Presidential Secretariat today (15 Jan) with the participation of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

Organized jointly by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, the event marked a noble cultural tradition that expresses gratitude for the dignity of labour and the protection gained from nature.

Thai Pongal rituals were performed under the leadership of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, while the festival featured a variety of cultural performances showcasing Hindu traditions.

Presenting the President’s Thai Pongal greetings, Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi described the occasion as a significant religious festival for the Hindu community and expressed hope that all Sri Lankans and people worldwide would receive blessings on this day.

“This occasion is a very important religious festival for the Hindu people. Organized with the contribution of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, and the Prime Minister’s Office, this historic Thai Pongal celebration brings us great joy. At this moment, which reflects Sri Lanka’s unique identity, I pray that all Sri Lankans and people around the world who are committed to building the nation receive blessings on this Thai Pongal day.”

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya called on all Sri Lankans to build a country founded on unity, mutual respect, and the safeguarding of cultural and religious rights. 

She emphasized the importance of values such as effort, patience, and respect for the environment, which form the essence of Thai Pongal, and noted the government’s responsibility to restore the nation through policy and attitudinal reforms.

“Thai Pongal reminds us of the importance of togetherness, our bond with nature, and the value of gratitude in daily life. I am delighted to celebrate this national festival today and wish all participants and the Hindu community a blessed Thai Pongal day,” she added.

The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Hindu priests, leaders of all religions, ministers, deputy ministers, local and foreign diplomats, distinguished guests, Hindu devotees, and schoolchildren. (Newswire)

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At a time when Sri Lanka has embarked on the transformative ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative, aimed at fostering ecological and ethical progress, the values symbolised by the Thai Pongal Festival align profoundly with the objectives of this initiative, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

In his message to commemorate the Thai Pongal Festival celebrated today, the President said Thai Pongal serves as a source of cultural rejuvenation, instilling renewed hope and inspiration in our collective lives. 

“As we embrace the New Year with renewed vigour and aspirations for a beautiful life we are presented with a significant opportunity to collaborate toward building an environmentally conscious and culturally enriched society. By prioritizing sustainable development and championing lasting peace and unity, we reaffirm our commitment to leading with integrity, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to fulfilling our responsibilities to the nation and its people,” he said.

President Dissanayake invited everyone to come together with a shared sense of purpose and commitment to ensure the prosperity and well-being of the nation, cherishing the joy and happiness that enrich the lives of all Sri Lankans. 

“May this Thai Pongal celebration be a blessing and a guiding light, inspiring hope and optimism for a brighter future,” he added. 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s message for Thai Pongal;

The Thai Pongal festival, also known as the ‘Harvest Festiva’ is observed with profound reverence by Tamil and Hindu communities worldwide. This significant occasion is dedicated to expressing gratitude to the Sun, the Earth, rain, and cattle for their indispensable contributions to a bountiful harvest. This festival is celebrated on the first day of the month of ‘Thai’ according to the Tamil calendar. The festival marks the commencement of the Sun’s northward journey, referred to as ‘Uttarayana’. Beyond its agricultural significance, Thai Pongal embodies the spirit of renewal and symbolizes the values of harmony and coexistence within human society, both internally and externally.

This celebration signifies not only a pivotal shift in direction but also underscores the importance of harmonious coexistence—both within society and with the environment. At a time when Sri Lanka has embarked on the transformative ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative, aimed at fostering ecological and ethical progress, the values symbolized by Thai Pongal align profoundly with the objectives of this initiative, reflecting the inseparable bond between humanity and nature.

Thai Pongal serves as a source of cultural rejuvenation, instilling renewed hope and inspiration in our collective lives. As we embrace the New Year with renewed vigor and aspirations for a beautiful life we are presented with a significant opportunity to collaborate toward building an environmentally conscious and culturally enriched society. By prioritizing sustainable development and championing lasting peace and unity, we reaffirm our commitment to leading with integrity, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to fulfilling our responsibilities to the nation and its people.

I invite everyone to come together with a shared sense of purpose and commitment to ensure the prosperity and well-being of our nation, cherishing the joy and happiness that enrich the lives of all Sri Lankans. May this Thai Pongal celebration be a blessing and a guiding light, inspiring hope and optimism for a brighter future.

I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans and Hindu devotees around the world for a prosperous and joyous Thai Pongal, filled with gratitude, harmony, and abundance! (Newswire)

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Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman has issued a clarification over the recent ‘National Thai Pongal’ Festival held in Hatton with the participation of several South Indian actresses.

The event held on Sunday (Jan 21) was jointly organized by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat, and the Norwood Divisional Secretariat. 

However, queries had been raised on social media on the expenses borne for the event, with the public pointing out that the event had been organized by multiple state institutions at a time when the country was facing economic difficulties.

Responding to the queries, taking to ‘X’, Minister Thondaman said he wishes to address concerns circulating about the costs associated with the National Thai Pongal festival, as he was one of the Ministers overseeing this celebration.

In a 9-point statement, Minister Jeevan Thondaman issued the following clarification;

1. The National Thai Pongal festival was organised jointly by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, and the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs. 
2. This year’s festival was held in Hatton for the first time. The choice of Hatton was in recognition and commemoration of the 200-year legacy of the Indian-origin Tamil plantation community. I am proud that we were able to host a national event in the heartland of the plantation community.
3. Thai Pongal is a day when we honour the culture, arts, and history of the Tamil community, which comprises nearly 20% of Sri Lanka’s population. This festival was realised with a modest allocation from the Ministries and Departments involved and relied on the kind contributions of Sri Lanka’s business community and traders to ensure its success. Contrary to some of the narratives being circulated, the monies spent represent a fraction of the cost typically associated with national festivals and state funds were kept to a minimum.
4. This festival was not designed to be a display of extravagance. Unlike other national religious and cultural events that span multiple days and feature elaborate decorations and lighting, the National Thai Pongal festival was a single, half-day event, held at a local playground and focused on cultural richness rather than costly flair. The local community worked closely with us, contributing to the event’s success, and ensuring that the celebration was both authentic and cost-effective.
5. The presence of four distinguished and award-winning South Indian actresses was not a frivolous decision but intended to inspire and empower. Their visit was facilitated by my personal invitation due to my longstanding ties with Tamil Nadu. Their decision to come to Sri Lanka was also a gesture of their goodwill towards the people of Sri Lanka, particularly the Tamil community of Indian origin. During their speeches, they shared their stories of overcoming adversity to achieve success in their respective fields. Their addresses touched on critical issues such as the importance of education, women’s empowerment, and the necessity of keeping children in school to secure a better future.
6. These South Indian stars did not only participate for their cultural resonance but also to promote our tourism sector. Their visit brought into focus the warmth and vibrancy of our culture and captured the attention of potential tourists from India and beyond. As we recover and revitalise our tourism sector, the festival, telecasted locally and internationally, has projected a positive image, inviting the world to our island.
7. It saddens me that the integrity of these artists and the festival itself is being questioned. It is even more disconcerting to witness a gendered critique, where the contributions of female icons are undervalued. It is an unfortunate reflection of a double standard that pervades our society.
8. As we strive to improve the daily lives of all our citizens, and while we understand that these improvements will not happen overnight, it is crucial to recognise that cultural celebration is intertwined with the social and economic upliftment of our communities.
9. The National Thai Pongal festival was not merely a half-day of festivity but a powerful affirmation of our government’s commitment to celebrating and uplifting all segments of our society. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every Sri Lankan, regardless of ethnic or religious background, can proudly share and celebrate their heritage and I am committed to ensuring that. (NewsWire)

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Prominent South Indian actresses have reportedly celebrated the Thai Pongal festival in Sri Lanka. 

The group celebrated the Hindu festival at an event organized at Dunbar ground in Hatton on Sunday (Jan 21).

South Indian actresses Aishwarya Rajesh, Aishwarya Dutta, Samyuktha Menon, and Meenakshi (Pinky Sarkar) attended the festivities. 

The Indian actresses attended the ‘National Thai Pongal Festival’ that was jointly organized by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat, and the Norwood Divisional Secretariat. 

The event was held under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the Governor of the Central Province Lalith U. Gamage, Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman, and other members of Parliament. (NewsWire)

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