Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman has issued a clarification over the recent ‘National Thai Pongal’ Festival held in Hatton with the participation of several South Indian actresses.
The event held on Sunday (Jan 21) was jointly organized by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat, and the Norwood Divisional Secretariat.
However, queries had been raised on social media on the expenses borne for the event, with the public pointing out that the event had been organized by multiple state institutions at a time when the country was facing economic difficulties.
Responding to the queries, taking to ‘X’, Minister Thondaman said he wishes to address concerns circulating about the costs associated with the National Thai Pongal festival, as he was one of the Ministers overseeing this celebration.
In a 9-point statement, Minister Jeevan Thondaman issued the following clarification;
- The National Thai Pongal festival was organised jointly by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, and the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs.
- This year’s festival was held in Hatton for the first time. The choice of Hatton was in recognition and commemoration of the 200-year legacy of the Indian-origin Tamil plantation community. I am proud that we were able to host a national event in the heartland of the plantation community.
- Thai Pongal is a day when we honour the culture, arts, and history of the Tamil community, which comprises nearly 20% of Sri Lanka’s population. This festival was realised with a modest allocation from the Ministries and Departments involved and relied on the kind contributions of Sri Lanka’s business community and traders to ensure its success. Contrary to some of the narratives being circulated, the monies spent represent a fraction of the cost typically associated with national festivals and state funds were kept to a minimum.
- This festival was not designed to be a display of extravagance. Unlike other national religious and cultural events that span multiple days and feature elaborate decorations and lighting, the National Thai Pongal festival was a single, half-day event, held at a local playground and focused on cultural richness rather than costly flair. The local community worked closely with us, contributing to the event’s success, and ensuring that the celebration was both authentic and cost-effective.
- The presence of four distinguished and award-winning South Indian actresses was not a frivolous decision but intended to inspire and empower. Their visit was facilitated by my personal invitation due to my longstanding ties with Tamil Nadu. Their decision to come to Sri Lanka was also a gesture of their goodwill towards the people of Sri Lanka, particularly the Tamil community of Indian origin. During their speeches, they shared their stories of overcoming adversity to achieve success in their respective fields. Their addresses touched on critical issues such as the importance of education, women’s empowerment, and the necessity of keeping children in school to secure a better future.
- These South Indian stars did not only participate for their cultural resonance but also to promote our tourism sector. Their visit brought into focus the warmth and vibrancy of our culture and captured the attention of potential tourists from India and beyond. As we recover and revitalise our tourism sector, the festival, telecasted locally and internationally, has projected a positive image, inviting the world to our island.
- It saddens me that the integrity of these artists and the festival itself is being questioned. It is even more disconcerting to witness a gendered critique, where the contributions of female icons are undervalued. It is an unfortunate reflection of a double standard that pervades our society.
- As we strive to improve the daily lives of all our citizens, and while we understand that these improvements will not happen overnight, it is crucial to recognise that cultural celebration is intertwined with the social and economic upliftment of our communities.
- The National Thai Pongal festival was not merely a half-day of festivity but a powerful affirmation of our government’s commitment to celebrating and uplifting all segments of our society. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every Sri Lankan, regardless of ethnic or religious background, can proudly share and celebrate their heritage and I am committed to ensuring that. (NewsWire)