The festival ends weeks of fasting, and is one of the most important events in the Muslim calendar.

Its exact start varies from country to country based on moon sightings, but people have been celebrating with feasts and family.

This year, however, Ramadan was marred by major attacks in Saudi Arabia,Bangladesh, Turkey and Iraq.

Issuing a message for the Ramadan festival, Sri Lankan Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe brings a message of peaceful co-existence, sharing and harmony to all.

The full message is as follows :

Throughout the world, Muslims observe Ramazan with fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Holy Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. Held every year, this sacred religious observation is recognized as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is dutifully followed by the faithful.

Muslims believe that during the period of fasting, spiritual rewards are greater and enriched with prayer and regular recitation of the Holy Quran. Undoubtedly, it is a period to be spent in reflection and deliberation.

The period of fasting concludes with the sighting of the new moon and celebrations are held throughout the Muslim communities, irrespective of their economic or social standing in a spirit of unity.

From fasting to celebrating and sharing, Ramazan brings all of us an important message, given its concern and caring for the poor and the needy. The period of fasting signifies self- discipline and imparts the ability to truly understand and comprehend the cost of self- denial.

Ramazan brings a message of peaceful co-existence, sharing and harmony to all.

I wish all Muslims everywhere a blessed Ramazan Kareem.