The participation of the President in the Thai Pongal festival, which reflects the uniqueness of the Tamil people, is an important factor in showcasing the region’s cultural pride to the world and promoting tourism, said the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The Pongal Sangamam – 2026 event, organized by the Northern Provincial Ministry of Local Government and the Northern Provincial Tourism Bureau, was held today – on Thursday 15 January 2026, in front of the Manipay Marudhadi Temple.
The His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, attending the event as the Chief Guest, was shown the Pongal celebrations taking place within the temple premises and participated in the special poojas held there. He then visited the exhibition hall of the Northern Provincial Tourism Bureau and was guided to the hall where the main event was scheduled to take place.
In his welcome address, the Governor stated:
“The Thai Pongal festival is a unique and significant celebration in the lives of the Tamil people. It is not merely a religious observance, but a festival that showcases our culture, traditions, and hospitality to the world. The President’s presence here to celebrate this distinctive festival with us reflects his respect and appreciation for Tamil culture, and on behalf of our people, I express my sincere gratitude.
“Today’s event has been organized by the Northern Provincial Tourism Bureau. We are making significant efforts to promote ‘cultural tourism’ by integrating our unique cultural values with tourism development.”
In particular, we have taken special measures to promote ‘spiritual tourism’ in our province. As part of this initiative, last year we published four major guidebooks covering the Shakti, Murugan, Ramayana, and Shiva temple routes. We can certainly expect these efforts to have a positive impact this year.
We are confident that more tourists, especially from neighboring India, will be drawn to our province as a result. I view the President’s personal participation in a Thai Pongal festival that reflects our unique culture as a significant step in showcasing our cultural pride to the world and promoting the tourism industry.
At the same time, the President is giving special attention to the Northern Province. His prompt responses to local requests and immediate provision of solutions provide a strong boost to our administrative activities,” the Governor added.
The event also featured various dance and music performances, highlighting the unique art and culture of the Tamil people.
The event was attended by the Chairman of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee and Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Resources, R. Chandrasekhar; Hon. Members of Parliament K. Ilankumaran, J. Rajeevan, and S. Sribavanandaraja; District Secretaries; Secretaries of Provincial Ministries; Heads of Departments; the Chairman of the Northern Provincial Tourism Bureau; as well as members of the public and participating artists.
