February 15, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called on Sri Lankans to dispel the “darkness of ignorance” and kindle the “light of wisdom” as the sacred festival of Maha Shivaratri is observed today by Hindus across the globe.
In his Maha Shivaratri message issued on February 15, 2026, the President noted that the holy festival, devoutly observed by Hindu communities worldwide, marks an auspicious occasion of worship and reverence to Lord Shiva.
He recalled that Maha Shivaratri commemorates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as well as the celestial Tandava dance performed by Lord Shiva, symbolising the triumph over ignorance in both the world and human life.
The President emphasised that religious and cultural observances of this nature play a vital role in building a disciplined and compassionate society that honours all human bonds. He observed that the sacred rites associated with Maha Shivaratri help dispel ego and awaken spiritual consciousness within hearts and minds, encouraging people to embrace the noble virtues of sincerity, generosity and forgiveness.
Describing the spiritual message of Maha Shivaratri as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity, President Dissanayake reflected on the challenges recently faced by the nation, including one of the most severe natural disasters in recent times. He stated that Sri Lanka is now moving forward with firm resolve and careful planning towards a new era of renewal, marked by political, economic and social transformation.
“As the lamps of Maha Shivaratri illuminate our hearts, I invite everyone to come together to further clarify and advance along the path we have chosen,” he said.
The President extended his warm felicitations for a meaningful celebration of Maha Shivaratri to Hindu devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world, expressing his wish that their noble aspirations be fulfilled.
Full Message:
With the hope that the darkness of ignorance be dispelled and the light of wisdom be kindled, the sacred festival of Maha Shivaratri, devoutly observed by Hindus around the world, falls today.
Maha Shivaratri is regarded as the auspicious occasion on which Hindu devotees offer worship and reverence to Lord Shiva. It commemorates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as well as the moment when Lord Shiva performs his celestial dance, the Tandava. Thereby, it symbolises the triumph over “darkness of ignorance” in the world and in human life.
I firmly believe that such religious and cultural observances are of great importance in building a disciplined and compassionate society that respects all human bonds. The sacred rites of Maha Shivaratri, which dispel ego and awaken spiritual consciousness within hearts and minds, invite us to live according to the noble virtues of sincerity, generosity and forgiveness.
Furthermore, I view the spiritual message of Maha Shivaratri as an opportunity to further strengthen solidarity among one another.
Having recently faced one of the most severe natural disasters in recent times, we are now advancing, with firm resolve and careful planning, towards a new era of renewal marked by political, economic and social transformation. As the lamps of Maha Shivaratri illuminate our hearts, I invite everyone to come together to further clarify and advance along the path we have chosen.?
I extend my warm felicitations for a meaningful celebration of Maha Shivaratri to the Hindu devotees in Sri Lanka and to Hindus around the world who observe this sacred day and I wish that their noble aspirations be fulfilled.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
15th February, 2026
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