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Canadian Parliamentarians mark Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month

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Canadian Parliamentarians mark Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month

Canadian Parliamentarians mark Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month
MP Francesco Sorbara, MP Majid Jowhari and MP Gary Anandasangaree celebrate Thai Pongal at the Richmond Hill Hindu Temple

Source:tamilguardian.com

Several Canadian Parliamentarians, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have released messages wishing Tamil Canadians a Happy Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month. 

In a statement, Prime Minister Trudeau wished the Tamil community a Happy Thai Pongal, stating,

“Thai Pongal is a time of joy, celebration, and community… While festivities may look different again this year as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, I know Tamil Canadians will find ways to embody the core values of peace, unity, and compassion at the heart of the celebration of Thai Pongal… I wish everyone celebrating Thai Pongal, here in Canada and around the world, a joyful festival…Iniya Thai Pongal Nalvazhthukkal.”

 

The Federal Liberal Caucus also released a video wishing Tamil Canadians a happy Thai Pongal and thanking the Tamil community for their contributions, stating,

“The Tamil community has contributed immensely to the Canadian society we enjoy today… Tamil Canadians continue to be an asset to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural foundation.”

Parliamentarians featured in the video include MP Anita Anand, MP Gary Anandasangaree, MP Annie Koutrakis, MP Kamal Khera, MP Fayçal El-Khoury, MP Sonia Sidhu, MP Bill Blair, MP Marci Ien, MP Judy Sgro, MP Peter Fonseca, MP Ya’ara Saks, MP Bardish Chagger, MP Jennifer O’Connel, MP Ruby Sahota, MP Marco Mendicino, MP Iqwinder Gaheer, MP Shaun Chen, MP Salma Zahid, MP Jean Yip, MP John McKay, MP Mark Holland, MP Maninder Sidhu, MP Mary NG and MP Ahmed Hussen.

Ontario’s PC Caucus tweeted marking Tamil heritage month, stating:

The Leader of the Opposition, Erin O’Toole, also marked the occasion by tweeting:

Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh, also tweeted marking the event:

The Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, also released a video wishing Tamil Ontarions a Happy Thai Pongal and Tamil heritage month.

“Ontario is proud to be home to a strong and resilient Tamil community who have a tremendous impact on the success and prosperity of our province. This month is an opportunity to honour the significant contributions of our Tamil community and learn more about their rich customs and cultural heritage,” Ford said.

MP Majid Jowhari, MP Francesco Sorbara, MP Leah Taylor Roy and MP Gary Anandasangaree attended Thai Pongal celebrations held in the Richmond Hill Hindu Temple.

“I hope everyone is celebrating a very Happy Pongal… I also want to take this opportunity to thank Tamil Canadians for their invaluable contributions to building a stronger and inclusive Canada,” MP Jowhari stated,

MPP for Scarborough-Rouge Park, Vijay Thanigasalam, also released a video statement wishing Canadians a Happy Pongal:

 

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, MP Sean Fraser, marked Thai Pongal by tweeting:

Minister Todd Smith, responsible for passing the Tamil Heritage Month Bill in Ontario in 2014, also released a video statement wishing Tamil Canadians a Happy Thai Pongal.

Ontario’s Minister of labour, training and skills development, Monte McNaughton, released a video statement marking the occasion.

MPP for Scarborough-North, Raymond Cho also released a video commemorating Thai Pongal to Twitter: 

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Otherland Galle Opens on Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast With a Locally Built Approach to Hospitality AI-generated illustration based on source material. No authentic photograph of the Otherland Galle property is embedded in this article. Otherland Hotels opened its first property, Otherland Galle, on 12 October 2026, introducing a 66-key lifestyle hotel that brings together accommodation, dining, music and locally curated experiences on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The opening adds a new hospitality concept to a region known for its beaches, historic Galle Fort and established surf culture, with the hotel’s programme designed to encourage visitors to engage with the wider destination as well as the property. Located on Matara Road, Otherland Galle is approximately 400 metres from Dewata Beach and 2.8 kilometres from Galle Fort, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel draws on the area’s culinary traditions, creative communities and coastal way of life, positioning local experiences as a central part of its offer rather than an optional addition to a conventional hotel stay. Founded by Rishi Sreedharan, Samarth Gowda and Emanuel Siddhartha in partnership with Beryll Group, Otherland Hotels is built around the philosophy “Never the Same Twice”. Its approach combines private rooms and suites with shared accommodation and communal spaces intended for different kinds of travellers, from couples and groups of friends to solo visitors and culturally curious guests. The co-founders, pictured from left: Emanuel Siddhartha, Rishi Sreedharan and Samarth Gowda. Source photograph: Lanka Business News. A design-led mix of rooms and shared spaces Designed by Studio Camarada, led by Andre Camara, the hotel has been arranged as a series of interconnected spaces rather than a conventional sequence of corridors and separate facilities. Its interiors draw on the colours and materials of the southern coast, including sandy neutrals, ocean blues and earthy tones, alongside rattan, ash, hand-tufted textiles and marble finishes. The 66-key accommodation comprises 24 Ocean Rooms, 25 Terra Rooms, 12 suites and five dormitories. Room sizes range from 27 square metres to the 70-square-metre Patio Suite, while the property also includes rooms designed for guests with disabilities. The mix offers a range of accommodation formats within one property, including shared dormitory options alongside private rooms and suites. At ground level, Bar-kery combines several functions: reception, coffee shop, bakery, aperitivo counter and informal co-working space. Its Vinyl Corner invites guests to browse records and choose music, giving the communal area a more participatory character. Colombo Coffee Company has developed an exclusive signature blend for the hotel. AI-generated illustrative image based on the reported design approach; it is not a photograph of Otherland Galle. The rooftop venue Creatures brings together a restaurant, cocktail bar, infinity pool and music space, with 270-degree views of the Indian Ocean. It is intended to serve as a daytime dining and swimming venue as well as an evening social space, linking the hotel’s food and music programmes with its coastal setting. Sri Lankan flavours, music and a sense of place The food programme is led by Chef Rajeev Kumar and draws on Sri Lankan culinary traditions, alongside international influences and contemporary techniques. Dishes listed for the menu include King Coconut Ceviche, Yellowfin Tuna Tataki, Lankan Fish Cutlets and Devilled Pork Ribs glazed with kithul treacle. A Watalappam Brûlée brings a familiar Sri Lankan dessert into a contemporary format. Arijit Bose leads the cocktail programme, while Aneesha Thapa manages day-to-day operations. Music is another part of the hotel’s identity, with programming across Afro, R&B, folk, funk, jazz fusion, house, techno and electronica. The combination of food, music and shared spaces is intended to make the property relevant to both visitors and people from the surrounding area. Co-founder Samarth Gowda described the approach as one intended to make the hotel feel accessible and personal: > “Otherland Galle should feel like yours from the moment you walk in. Luxury has often come with a sense of distance, with places appearing impressive because they do not feel accessible to everyone. That is not what we are building. Everything here is designed around who you are and how you want to spend your time.” AI-generated illustration of ingredients associated with Sri Lankan culinary traditions; not a photograph of the hotel’s kitchen or menu. The Other Side: experiences created with local communities A key element of the concept is The Other Side, an experiences programme developed in collaboration with local surfers, fishermen, artisans, guides, chefs and musicians. The activities are designed to connect guests with people and places beyond the hotel, while drawing on knowledge and skills already present in the Galle region. The programme includes curry masterclasses, guided walks through Galle Fort and surf lessons at Dewata Beach. Further afield, guests can take whale-watching excursions off Mirissa or kayak through the mangroves of Koggala Lake. Rooftop sunset sessions, arrack tastings, beach cricket and tuk-tuk bar crawls are among the social activities described as part of the offer. This community-led model gives local participants a role in shaping and delivering visitor experiences, rather than presenting the area only as a backdrop for sightseeing. Its longer-term value will depend on how consistently these partnerships are sustained and how directly local contributors benefit from the activity they help create. Co-founder Rishi Sreedharan said: > “At Otherland, curiosity is the operating principle. We measure success by whether guests leave with a real sense of Galle. The surfers, fishermen, chefs and craftspeople who live here have helped build these experiences, and they are the ones bringing them to life.” AI-generated coastal illustration based on the article’s setting; it does not depict a verified view from the property. A new option for visitors to Galle The opening marks the first phase of Otherland Galle’s development. A gym, wellness centre and banquet facilities are planned for a subsequent phase. The property’s initial offer, however, is already structured around more than its room inventory: its communal areas, food and beverage venues, music programme and locally developed activities form a connected hospitality concept. For Sri Lankans abroad planning a visit home, the opening provides another option near Galle, with a programme that brings together coastal recreation, local food, heritage and community knowledge. For the Galle area, the approach places local contributors at the centre of the visitor experience. Whether the model makes a lasting contribution will be measured not only by the facilities it offers, but also by the strength and continuity of those relationships. The launch also reflects a wider interest among culturally curious travellers in experiences that extend beyond accommodation and conventional sightseeing. In Galle, where historic landmarks sit alongside a living coastal culture, the opportunity is to create hospitality that is carefully designed while remaining connected to the people and traditions that give the destination its character. Sources: Lanka Business News; Colombo Times; Hiru News Gold FM; SoulofHospitality. This article was written based on the source https://www.lankabusinessnews.com/otherland-hotels-makes-its-debut-in-galle/ and corroborated by https://colombotimes.net/otherland-hotels-makes-its-debut-in-galle/, https://hirunews.lk/goldfmnews/493932/otherland-galle-opens-with-66-rooms-introduces-dormitories-to-luxury-hotel-mix and https://www.soulofhospitality.com/business/hotel-openings/otherland-hotels-enters-sri-lanka-with-a-new-approach-to-lifestyle-hospitality, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected. Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly to your inbox! At eLanka, we respect the rights of creators. If we have used an image you own and you'd like it removed, please email us at info@elanka.com.au and we’ll handle it promptly. Thanks. eLanka team eLanka Disclaimer Content published on eLanka may be created by the eLanka team, submitted by contributors or third parties, reproduced or adapted from other sources with appropriate source acknowledgement, or provided as promotional/advertising material by our clients. While eLanka takes reasonable care in preparing and publishing content, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Views expressed are those of the respective authors or contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of eLanka. Third-party contributors, content providers and advertisers are responsible for the accuracy of material they supply and for ensuring they hold the necessary rights and permissions for its publication. 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