The Sri Lanka Embassy Washington’s annual Christmas celebrations were held on 7 December 2008 in keeping with the tradition of the Embassy of commemorating the important festivals of all four world religions practiced in Sri Lanka.

In his welcome address to the large number of Sri Lankan Christians and members of all Sri Lankan communities from the Greater Washington area who participated in the event, representing all communities of Sri Lanka, Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya noted that Christmas is celebrated across the world with immense joy and happiness and for Christians it also symbolizes a very deeply significant truth of the spiritual life - Christ was born to bless the whole human race with peace and joy, life and light. He gave a new and a spiritual turn to the lives of man. Thus a new era dawned for the world. He noted that in Sri Lanka too a new era is about to dawn.

The Rev. Father John Caulfield, of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington DC addresses the
Sri Lankan community from the Greater Washington area

However difficult it may be, it is President Rajapaksa’s belief that the efforts to find political solutions to political issues should be continued. It is the Sri Lanka Government’s duty to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the same democratic rights as enjoyed by the people in all other parts of the country.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya invited all Sri Lankans in the USA to come back to Sri Lanka and see for themselves the major transformation that is taking place there, under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He invited all Sri Lankans in the USA to work together with the Sri Lanka Embassy towards the development of Sri Lanka and wished all present a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Everybody joined in to sing some popular carols, led by Mrs. Melita Ethelbert

The Rev. Father John Caulfield, of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington D.C. spoke on the significance of Christmas and delivered a Christmas prayer in English. Dr. Gregory Fernandopulle delivered traditional Sri Lankan prayers in Sinhala and Tamil. Sri Lankan American Catholic Association of Metropolitan Washington President, Mr. Maxwell Amirthampillai delivered the voted of thanks. Everybody joined in to sing some popular carols, led by Mrs. Melita Ethelbert and participants enjoyed delicious Christmas delicacies.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA

09 December 2008