Date:08/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/08/stories/2007110860691000.htm

Tamil Nadu

Deepavali fete at Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission

Special Correspondent

Envoy expresses the hope that Sri Lankans will soon live without the scourge of terrorism

CHENNAI: The Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai caught up with the festive mood to celebrate Deepavali on its premises on Tuesday.

The celebrations began with the offering of a special pooja.

Addressing the gathering, P.M. Amza, Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in South India, said the Sri Lanka Government was committed to finding a lasting political solution to meet the legitimate aspirations of all communities in Sri Lanka.

He expressed the hope that Sri Lankans would soon live without the scourge of terrorism.

Message read out

He pointed out that Deepavali was celebrated by Hindus who constituted 15 per cent of the population and wished that much like what the festival symbolised, good would triumph over the evils of terrorism in Sri Lanka. Mr. Amza also read out a message from Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

T.S. Shanmugam Sivachariar from the Kaligambal temple in Parrys spoke about ‘The relevance of Deepavali in the context of the present-day world.”

A cross section of senior Government of India officials, dignitaries, professionals and academics attended the programme organised at a colourfully decked Chancery premises that houses the Deputy High Commission.