MAY BRIGHT LIGHTS OF 'DEEPAWALI ' BRING STRENGTH TO OVERCOME PRESENT PREDICAMENT!

Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army on behalf of All Ranks in the Army in a brief message on this year 's muted Deepawali (Diwali) Day (14 November) wishes the brightening lights of Deepawali illuminate the life with the glow of happiness and the sparkle of joy, prosperity, health and wealth and bring all the necessary strength for all of us to overcome the raging COVID-19 pandemic by closely adhering to all health instructions, guidelines and precautions as advised by health authorities .

While wishing You and Your family a happy Deepawali, let us pray that all those blessings too would bring necessary strength and help guide us to overcome the epidemic that has restricted our mobility, social, economic and cultural activities. May millions of lamps fill your life with the best of Health, Hope and Prosperity ! , Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva stated.

Deepawali marks the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and is celebrated in honour of Lord Ram 's return to Ayodhya, ending his fourteen-year-long exile. Diwali is traditionally celebrated by lighting divas (earthen lamps).