President Sirisena calls on the spirit of Christmas to build peace and reconciliation
The State Festival was held in Trincomalee, where the civil war once raged. Its aim was to share the true meaning of Christmas. The streets of Colombo lit up for Christmas. The light of humanity always dawns with the Christmas, Sirisena said.
Colombo (AsiaNews) – Sri Lankan PresidentMaithripala Sirisena offered his Christmas wishes at this year’s State Christmas Festival at the Hindu Cultural Centre in Trincomalee last Saturday in the presence of Catholics.
In his message, he called on everyone to follow the spirit of Christmas and join hands with the government to achieve reconciliation among the country’s many communities for the benefit of its future without allowing any room to war.
To those present the president stressed that Christmas, which delivers the message of peace and love to the world, is an important occasion to boost reconciliation and harmony among different communities.
The country’s main Catholic clerics were present, including the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Phêrô (Pierre) Nguyên Van Tot, Mgr Winston Fernando, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, and Mgr Noel Emmanuel, bishop of Trincomalee.
John Amaratunga, Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, and Rohitha Bogollagama, Governor of the Eastern Province, represented the civil authorities.
In a statement, the Presidential Secretariat said that the event was held in Trincomalee, which was affected by the country’s 30-year civil war, with a specific purpose, i.e. sharing the true meaning of Christmas among the country’s people.
“I wish to extend my greetings to all Christian devotees who are preparing to commemorate the Christmas,” the president said.
The President stated that the light of humanity always dawns with the Christmas. He also pointed out that the objective of Christmas is to give life to underprivileged people and all of us have the responsibility in this regard.
The festivity marks an important part in the harmonious coexistence of the country’s religious communities.
Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist: (70 per cent) out of 21 million. Islam is the second religion (7.6 per cent), followed by Hinduism (7.1 per cent) and Christianity (6.2 per cent)
All religious minorities – especially Muslims – have been targeted by Buddhist radicals, whose self-imposed mission is to "protect" the Sinhalese Buddhist community.
In Trincomalee, songs and dances enlivened the festival and the president presented awards and certificates to the winners of the competition organised for the occasion.
Meanwhile, for the third consecutive years festive lights were turned on yesterday in the streets of the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo until January on the initiative of the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
Some 40 private groups set up the decorations in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Army and the Navy.
.png)
