President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath have issued separate Deepavali messages, all framing the festival as an occasion to strengthen coexistence — three of them across Sri Lanka’s communities, and one across its diaspora. Deepavali falls on Sunday 8 November this year.
The President’s message
The President described Deepavali as a festival symbolising “the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance”, and said Hindus observe the day “commemorating the victory of Lord Krishna, over the demon Narakasura”. The Daily Mirror reported that the message was issued on 6 November, two days ahead of the festival, and gave the same account of the Krishna–Narakasura reference.
He argued that the festival’s significance extends well past the lamps themselves. “The true meaning of Deepavali extends beyond illuminating homes with the light of oil lamps. It lies in kindling the light of love, compassion, brotherhood and humanity in the hearts of people,” his message said. The festival, he added, is an opportunity to renew a resolve to build “a better, more just and compassionate society by choosing kindness over hatred, coexistence over division, and justice over injustice”.
The President also committed the government to “transforming every sphere of society, the economy and politics” and to building a nation “that respects all religious and cultural identities and treats everyone with equality and dignity”. He expressed hope that the lamps lit this Deepavali would further illuminate Sri Lanka’s path towards becoming an “Island of Peace and Humanity”.
The Prime Minister’s message
Amarasuriya described Deepavali as an occasion of spiritual significance, and said that in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country such as Sri Lanka the festival is a valuable opportunity to reinforce mutual understanding, reconciliation and cooperation between communities.
She urged people to strengthen the country’s diverse cultural bonds and to move forward as a single motherland without distinction of ethnicity or religion. In NewsFirst’s account of her message, she also called on people to dispel hatred, jealousy and ignorance while embracing wisdom and compassion.
The Opposition Leader’s message
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa issued his own Deepavali greetings, casting the festival as a shared obligation rather than a purely religious observance. Leading society “from darkness to light and from bad to good” is the responsibility of everyone who acts against wrongdoing, he said in a message reported by Hiru News.
“Resolute commitment to fulfilling that responsibility is the philosophy and the guidance contained within Deepavali,” his message said, calling on people to come together “without distinction of race, religion, colour or party”.
Both government leaders closed by wishing Hindu devotees in Sri Lanka and abroad peace, happiness, good health and prosperity.
The Foreign Minister’s message: the diaspora
A fourth message, from Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, differs from the other three in where it looks. Herath’s greeting is addressed to Sri Lankans and to people around the world, and turns on the diaspora rather than on domestic coexistence.
The festival is not limited to one country, nation or religion, Herath said in a message reported by the Daily Mirror, but celebrates the triumph of light and the goodness of humanity.
He drew the point geographically: the lamps lit in temples in Jaffna, homes in Colombo and the residences of Sri Lankans living overseas — including in Dubai, London and Toronto — reflect a shared spirit and connection. It is the only one of the four messages to name specific places, at home or abroad.
Herath also acknowledged the contribution of Sri Lankans living abroad, saying their work and dedication continue to strengthen the country while their attachment to their motherland remains strong. That emphasis tracks his portfolio, which covers foreign employment alongside foreign affairs and tourism.
He expressed hope that the lamps lit during Deepavali would dispel darkness not only from homes but from the hearts of neighbours and communities across the world, and wished Sri Lankans and people everywhere a Deepavali of light, peace and hope.
