In Sri Lanka, the festival of Maha Shivratri is being celebrated by Tamil Hindu community with religious fervour and traditonal rituals. It is one of the main festivals of Tamils and is declared a holiday by government.<br/><br/>People queued outside temples since late night and offered early morning Pujas to seek blessings for their well being. President and Prime minister have greeted people on the occasion.<br/><br/>President Maithripala Sirisena in his message said that the religious way of life can be considered as an essential ingredient for building a better society. Prime minster Ranil Wickremsinghe said the festival that highlights the values of spiritual enlightenment and culture, is deeply symbolic of co-existence and harmony among all and is also an ideal time for reflection.