Amidst controversy surrounding the National Thaipongal Festival in Hatton, Minister Jeevan Thondaman has responded to allegations of extravagance, particularly concerning the invitation of four distinguished South Indian actresses. The minister addressed the concerns, emphasizing that the festival was designed to be a cultural celebration, and its success was a result of collaboration with the local community.

In a statement, Minister Thondaman explained, "This festival was not designed to be a display of extravagance. Unlike other national religious and cultural events that span multiple days and feature elaborate decorations and lighting, the National Thai Pongal festival was a single, half-day event, held at a local playground and focused on cultural richness rather than costly flair."

He further justified the presence of the South Indian actresses, stating that their invitation was not frivolous but intended to inspire and empower. Thondaman highlighted his personal ties with Tamil Nadu as the reason behind their invitation, emphasizing the goodwill gesture of the actresses towards the people of Sri Lanka, particularly the Tamil community of Indian origin.

During their participation, the South Indian stars reportedly addressed critical issues such as the importance of education, women's empowerment, and the necessity of keeping children in school for securing a better future. Minister Thondaman defended their inclusion, emphasizing the positive impact of their speeches on the audience.

Furthermore, Thondaman asserted that the actresses' visit also served to promote Sri Lanka's tourism sector. He stated, "Their visit brought into focus the warmth and vibrancy of our culture and captured the attention of potential tourists from India and beyond. As we recover and revitalize our tourism sector, the festival, telecasted locally and internationally, has projected a positive image, inviting the world to our island."

Expressing disappointment at the criticism, especially the gendered critique of the female icons, Thondaman said, "It saddens me that the integrity of these artists and the festival itself is being questioned. It is even more disconcerting to witness a gendered critique, where the contributions of female icons are undervalued. It is an unfortunate reflection of a double standard that pervades our society."