Prime Minister and Speaker attend Navaratri Puja at Parliament

The Navaratri Puja was held ceremonially on 20 October within the premises of the Sri Lankan Parliament, with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne taking part. The ceremony was organised to symbolise the country’s multi-religious harmony.

The annual Navaratri Puja was organised this year by the Parliament of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

The festival commenced with the performance of religious rituals. Those attending were further entertained by several devotional dance performances.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Amarasuriya stated that this religious ceremony, conducted with good intentions, would bring blessings to the entire country. She further emphasised that a better nation could be built through religious and cultural harmony founded on respect for other cultures.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Wickramaratne expressed his wishes that, according to Hindu beliefs, the blessings of Goddess Durga would dispel evil, the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi would bring prosperity and abundance, and the blessings of Goddess Saraswati would enhance wisdom. He further noted that organising such celebrations through the collective participation of everyone, without any discrimination, served as a positive example.

The event was attended by Hindu religious priests; Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih; Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara; Chief Government Whip and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa; Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar; Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Sundaralingam Pradeep; Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunatilaka; Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera; and members of the parliamentary staff, affiliated staff and security personnel, including the Police.