At this moment of celebrating the Navaratri festival, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa expressed his heartfelt prayer that this Navaratri will mark the beginning of a better future that brings all prosperity to the people. He also extended his wishes for a blessed Navaratri to all Sri Lankan Hindu devotees. He emphasized his hopes for unity, togetherness, brotherhood, peace, and harmony in the country, and that all divisions among races and religions will be resolved, leading to a prosperous nation.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa made these remarks while attending the Navaratri celebration held today at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo.
He explained that according to Hindu beliefs, the Navaratri Puja is held during the month when the Sun transits the Kanya Rashi (Virgo), and that this is a significant festival where darkness is dispelled and light is ushered in – a truly noble celebration for the Hindu community.
He further stated that during the nine nights of Navaratri, devotees worship nine forms of Goddess Durga, who symbolizes strength. The festival also honors Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, and Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. This rich religious tradition is celebrated with vibrant dance and rituals.
Premadasa said the spiritual purpose of Navaratri is to offer devotion to the deities, pray for prosperity, seek new beginnings in education, and reflect during the season of harvest. He highlighted that the first three days of the festival are dedicated to Goddess Kali, who is worshipped for strength and power.
He noted that Hindu devotees observe these nine days with religious discipline, abstaining from meat and following rituals to receive divine blessings – not just for themselves but for the country and the entire population. He likened the spiritual light of compassion to a lamp on a dark path that guides the way, saying that this light enriches human life.
Premadasa described the Navaratri festival as a source of spiritual enlightenment – the lamp of compassion, which spreads the light of wisdom and contributes to national unity.
He concluded by saying that lighting lamps during this festival symbolizes the removal of ignorance and illusion (darkness), and the spread of awareness and wisdom (light). The light from the lamp full of hope fosters unity, cooperation, and prosperity among the people, eliminating every form of division. Thus, Navaratri is celebrated as a moment of togetherness and harmony.
