The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore brought the Deepavali festival to life for the Sri Lankan expatriate community, fostering cultural ties and spiritual unity
Singapore, 11 November 2024 – The Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore hosted a vibrant Deepavali celebration on November 9, 2024, at the historic Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple. The event, which attracted over 150 members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Singapore, embodied the spirit of Deepavali, the “Festival of Lights,” through traditional ceremonies, cultural performances, and shared cultural values.
The evening commenced with blessings by Sri Sabesan Kurukkal, the temple’s Chief Priest, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial oil lamp by the Guest of Honour, Hon. Neil Parekh, Member of Parliament of Singapore. The lighting ceremony was also joined by officials from the Singapore Government and representatives from Sri Lankan associations, symbolizing the close ties between the two countries.
High Commissioner Senarath Dissanayake welcomed the attendees and spoke on the spiritual essence of Deepavali, emphasizing its timeless message of unity, particularly relevant in today’s fragmented world. Dissanayake highlighted that hosting the celebration at Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, a heritage temple dating back to the 1850s, illustrated the strong people-to-people connection and cultural affinity between Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Hon. Neil Parekh, who is also the Chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce, expressed his gratitude for being part of the celebration and noted the cultural importance of such gatherings. He underscored that these events not only foster cultural understanding but also support the growing business relationship between Singapore and Sri Lanka, an initiative that the Chamber is keen to support.
The evening featured a captivating cultural performance that showcased the artistic heritage of the Sri Lankan community and concluded with a traditional vegetarian dinner, enjoyed by all attendees in the spirit of Deepavali.
