The Thai Pongal Festival, commemorating Thai Pongal Day which fell on January 14, was celebrated with great festivity on Friday at the Parliament premises under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

This historic event marked the first time the Parliament of Sri Lanka organized a Thai Pongal celebration, highlighting the nation’s cultural diversity and unity, parliament media division said.

The event was attended by Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar, other ministers, deputy ministers, Members of Parliament, and senior parliamentary officials, including Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera.

Organized following a proposal by Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar and supported by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the celebration aimed to promote awareness and appreciation of Tamil culture, respect the heritage and traditions of the Tamil community, and foster an inclusive national identity.

The Thai Pongal festival, traditionally celebrated to express gratitude to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest and to honor the contributions of cattle and livestock, featured religious rituals, intricate Kolam designs, and the preparation of Pongal rice. The boiling of milk symbolized prosperity and gratitude, reflecting the festival’s deep connection between humanity and nature.

In his address, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne emphasized the festival’s role in showcasing unity and coexistence among all communities. Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi highlighted the importance of overcoming language barriers to achieve harmony, expressing hope that ongoing education reforms would further this goal.

The celebration was further enlivened by traditional dance performances and musical recitals, adding vibrancy to the occasion. A large number of participants, including parliamentary officials, ministry representatives, and distinguished guests, joined in marking this milestone event, which underscored the Parliament’s commitment to celebrating Sri Lanka’s rich cultural diversity.