Thai Pongal wishes from President and Prime Minister

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in a message to mark the Thai Pongal festival urged everyone to come together with determination, akin to the unity of siblings, to realise new hopes for the country’s future.

The full text of the message said :

“Thai Pongal, a vibrant Hindu harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil Community worldwide, beckons us into a realm of joy and gratitude, signifying not only the bountiful harvest but also the promise of new beginnings. Embraced within the auspicious month of Thai (January) in the Tamil calendar, this celebration harmonizes with the Sun’s northward journey, marking the onset of the harvest season.

Originating around a thousand years ago during the Chola dynasty, this festival commemorates the first harvest of the year. Its purpose is to express gratitude to those who contributed to the harvest.

Beyond its agricultural essence, Thai Pongal heralds a fresh start, a time to relinquish the past and welcome new opportunities with unwavering optimism. Rooted in the belief of the pivotal role of agriculture in rejuvenating Sri Lanka’s economy through the government’s agricultural modernization program, the dawn of Thai symbolizes the inception of a promising journey filled with hope and prosperity.

Thai Pongal also serves as a reminder of the value of equality. I urge everyone to come together with determination, akin to the unity of siblings, to realize new hopes for the country’s future.

I wish the Tamil community worldwide a prosperous and joyous Thai Pongal celebration.”

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in his Thai Pongal message said:

 “'Thaipongal', which is a national festival showcasing the excellence of Hindu culture that inherits an agricultural economy, embodies the core values based on peace, unity, and compassion.

This harvest festival, during which the Tamil farmers, having a belief in the traditional lifestyle that is bound up with nature, extend their gratitude to the sun for a rich harvest, will be a reflection of the lifeblood of the nation.

It will be a motivation for the active concept of food security and rural revitalization in the face of the current situation.

I extend my greetings to the people all over the world who are celebrating the Thai Pongal festival, marking the dawn of a prosperous new year in which expectations are fulfilled.”