October 20, Colombo (LNW): Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, in his message marking Deepavali, has called upon the people of Sri Lanka to treat the Festival of Lights as more than a celebration — urging citizens to see it as a call to overcome darkness, injustice, and ignorance through conscious action and compassion.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the occasion, Premadasa encouraged individuals across all communities to use the moment to turn away from symbols of evil and instead shine light through virtuous deeds and ethical living.
“What we must do on this Diwali day is to conquer evil and usher in the dawn of goodness,” he stated, highlighting the festival as an opportunity to reaffirm values of justice, truth, and collective responsibility.
He went on to stress that Deepavali’s true power lies not just in lamps and rituals, but in the inner awakening it should inspire — a commitment to moving from falsehood to truth, and from ignorance to knowledge.
“Our greatest enthusiasm during this celebration,” he said, “should be in dedicating ourselves to the mission of awakening the light that leads society from falsehood to truth and from ignorance to knowledge, so that a virtuous and enlightened society may prevail.”
