Govt. allocates Rs. 7.5 m for State Christmas celebration

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Government is expected to spend Rs. 7.5 million on a State-sponsored Christmas celebration scheduled to be launched on 22 December afternoon in Negombo, Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said yesterday.

Addressing a media briefing, he said the State Christmas celebration will be more festive compared to previous celebrations, since it is being held in Negombo, where the majority of citizens follow Christianity.

“We expect to have a grand scale celebration for Christmas this time with the support of the Unity Government. It will grander than last year,” he said.

Amaratunga also said that this Government has the equal status for the main four religions; Buddhism, Christian, Hindu and Islam, so that people can practice their faith without fear.

“People of every religion will be able to follow their religion without any interruption. Soon after coming to power, this Government established four ministries for each religion, and I was blesses to be the Christian Affairs Minister,” he said.

Amaratunga said that it is more important to follow Jesus’ word, not just the materialistic celebrations of Christmas day.

Amaratunga also said that this time the Government and the public are eagerly waiting to see the tallest Christmas three which is being constructed through a joint effort from people of all religions.

Christian Affairs Ministry Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa said that the State Christmas celebration would start at 4 p.m. in St. Maria’s Church, Negombo, with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He said that all the Christian and Catholic religious leaders of the country would participate for the function.

Meanwhile, Christian Religious Affairs Department Director A. R. Gunawardena said that the occasion will comprise of carols and other religious worshiping.