President and Prime Minister extends wishes for Thai Pongal

COLOMBO (News 1st) -  Hindu devotees worldwide, celebrate Thai Pongal today (January 15). The festival which is a dedication to the Sun God for the harvest spans a period of four days. The President's message President Maithripala Sirisena in a statement said that festivals such as this aids in safeguarding the richness of multiple religions, ethnicities, and cultures.  The President also adds that the Thai Pongal festival highlights and strengthens the ties between nature and humanity while showcasing the vibrant and rich culture of the Hindu religion. The Prime Minister's message Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a statement said the Thai Pongal festival celebrated by Hindus brings about the humanity of people thus creating an environment of peace and harmony in the society.  The message of the Prime Minister also stresses the importance of respecting other religions.