HAMBANTOTA : The National Milad-Un-Nabi commemoration ceremony was held this Friday afternoon, September (05) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Masjidul Aroosiya Jumma Mosque premises in the Malay Colony village, Ambalantota.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, together
with the Department of Muslim Religious And Cultural Affairs, to mark the birth anniversary of
Prophet Muhammad. A special feature of the commemoration was the active participation and
support extended by people of all faiths in the area, including members of the Maha Sangha.
On this occasion, the President was presented with the commemorative postage stamp issued to
mark the 2025 National Milad-Un-Nabi celebrations. He was also presented with a book titled The
History and Development of the Muslim Community in Hambantota District, compiled to highlight
the cultural and historical value of the Muslim community in Hambantota.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also awarded prizes and certificates to the winners of an art
competition held across all schools in Hambantota District. The competition, open to students of all
communities, aimed at fostering ethnic harmony among schoolchildren.
In recognition of his participation in the 2025 National Milad-Un-Nabi commemoration, the
President was presented with a commemorative gift, while the Muslim community of Hambantota
and the Board of Trustees of the Jumma Mosque also offered him a special memento.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr Hiniduma
Sunil Senevi, stated that discussions were already underway to further increase Sri Lanka’s quota
for Hajj pilgrimages. He noted that this would help reduce costs for local devotees and enable a
greater number of pilgrims to perform the Hajj in future.
The Minister also conveyed the condolences of the President and the government to the families of
those who lost their lives in the tragic bus accident that occurred on the Ella–Wellawaya main road, Thursday
night, Sept. (04).
Deputy Minister of National Integration, Muneer Mulaffer, in his address, emphasised that peace,
unity and mutual respect were the core teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
He further noted that the present government aspires to build a beautiful nation founded on peace
and coexistence among all people. Recalling the strong participation of local communities in
making the 2025 National Milad-Un-Nabi commemoration a success, he said that such unity
reinforced confidence in building a harmonious nation.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Maha Sangha and other religious leaders, Deputy
Speaker (Dr.) Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
Gamagedara Dissanayake, Deputy Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and
Local Government Ruwan Senarath, Hambantota District Development Committee Chairman Nihal
Galappaththi MP, other parliamentarians, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious
and Cultural Affairs W.P. Senadheera, Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and
Cultural Affairs M.S.M. Nawas, state officials, foreign diplomats, schoolchildren and members of
the public.
