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| Sunday, 1 December 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Colombo city, suburbs light up by Jayampathy Jayasinghe Elaborate arrangements are being made to bathe the city of Colombo and the suburban towns of Negombo and Moratuwa with flood lights with a view to create a festive atmosphere during the Christmas season and to usher in the New Year that people have never ever witnessed before. The idea was to create a sense of stability following the cessation of hostilities between the government and the LTTE and the peace process that was set in motion by the government, to rid fear in the minds of people who had suffered for almost two decades due to the civil war, Interior Minister John Amaratunga said at a press conference in Colombo last week. The Minister had appointed a special committee consisting of private sector personnel and hoteliers who had undertaken the task of organising festivities including carols, carnivals, christmas parties and musical shows with lighting arrangements in Colombo, Moratuwa and Negombo areas. Minister Amaratunga said this would be the first occasion where people would be able to celebrate the festive season devoid of fear from LTTE attacks. People would also be free to move about in the absence of road barriers and restrictions placed on travel on previous years. He said celebrations during this period would enhance the country's image as a safe destination to attract foreign tourists. Already several chartered flights bringing in tourists have started arriving. The festivities have been drawn up on a concept of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to make use of the peace dividends. The occasion also coincides with the first anniversary of the United Front Government. The Minister said that for several years, the younger generation had not witnessed celebrations, without fear in their minds. |
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