Christmas, which brings the message of peace and love to the world, is an important occasion to strengthen reconciliation and co-existence among committees, President Maithripala Sirisena said.
He was addressing the gathering at the State Christmas Festival held at the Hindu Cultural Centre in Trincomalee recently.
The President said the light of humanism always dawned with Christmas. “Everyone had a responsibility to light a lamp for the less fortunate which is the essence of Christmas, and to work for their benefit.
The President, who said that peace and reconciliation among communities should be strengthened in the interests of the country's future, said he would make use of Christmas to request all people to join hands to build reconciliation among all communities to prevent a recurrence of war. The President extended greetings to all Christian devotees making arrangements to celebrate Christmas this year.
Presentation of Christmas carols and several other items were among the special features of the festival.
The President distributed prizes and certificates to the winners of the several competitions. Apostolic Pro Nuncio Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van Wat, Bishops Vincent Fernando and Noel Emmanuel, Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunge, Eastern Province Governor Rohitha Bogollagama, Parliamentarian Abudul Maharoof, MinistrySecretary Esala Weerakoon, Christian Affairs Department Director A.R. Gunawardene and IGP Pujith Jayasundera were present- Daily News