ONUR and NP schools host Thai Pongal Festival series

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) along with Northern Provincial Council’s Ministry of Education on Friday organised a series of Thai Pongal festivals at several schools in the province, inviting students from other faiths and cultures to join the Tamil students, to create awareness and to respect the diversity Sri Lankans are blessed with.

The schools involved were Ramanathan College, Jaffna, Chemmalai Maha Vidyalaya, Mullaitivu, Tamil Maha Vidyalaya, Vavuniya, Sithy Vinayagar Hindu College, Mannar and Vivekananda Vidyalayam, Kilinochchi.

ONUR Chairperson Chandrika Kumaratunga, Director General Chandrasena Maliyadde and Secretary of Northern Provincial Education Ministry R. Raveenthiran took part in the event.

Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic and other faiths also joined the Tamil students in their celebrations.

The main event of Western Province will be held on 18 January at Payagala Hindu College in Kalutara District at 9.00 am with President Maithripala Sirisena attending as the Chief Guest.