Signifying the need for cultural, political, and attitudinal transformation to realize the hopes of a prosperous country, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Diwali urged people of the island nation to create a new cultural existence that embodies compassion and critical thought. "I invite everybody to join in creating a new cultural existence that embodies compassion and critical thought.".
This Diwali, I stressed the need for a cultural, political, and attitudinal transformation if we are to realize our hope of a prosperous country and a fulfilling life for all, added Dissanayake, Sri Lanka's ninth Executive President, who took over on 9 September.
As devotees around the world are celebrating Diwali with great devotion symbolizing victory of light over darkness, hope, joy, and triumph of good over evil in bringing together communities to be one in celebration, President said.
Sri Lankans have been yearning to find light in the dark since gaining independence long ago. Fresh hope has now been realized as that of long-held hopes of the people. We are entering into an era of renaissance, where suppressed aspirations of the people of the yesteryear rulers finally come to the forefront, he said while wishing his Diwali greetings.
He says several legends prompt the celebration of Diwali – the return of King Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after their 14-year exile and also the defeat of Asura Narakasura by Lord Vishnu – the two are the most remembered and celebrated events by Hindu devotees during the lively festival.
"Only the light of science can dispel the darkness of ignorance. Therefore, I urge everyone to light the Diwali of wisdom this year. Let this Diwali be a precious occasion for Sri Lankans to embrace a new way of thinking, fostering enlightenment and progress for all," said Dissanayake.
He also asked everyone to appreciate the beauty of cultural diversity by being respectful, accepting, and brothers to one another.
The time has come for the Sri Lankan nation, which had faced attempts at division and weakening, to stand united and strong. By rooting out injustice, discrimination, marginalization, hate speech, and violence, we could lead the way in bringing an end to the kind of political culture that causes divisions and fosters inequality between the privileged and the underprivileged," he noted.
Concluding his Diwali greetings, Dissanayake expressed hope for "the necessary changes" that could take place in the country as he dwelled upon a legacy of more than 2500 years that bonds together historical, cultural, religious, spiritual, and linguistic ties shared among themselves.
"On this day of Diwali, just as the light of countless lamps illuminates homes and cities, may the light of harmony and wisdom spread in the hearts of everyone," he said.
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