The spirit of love and joy that Christmas brings has special relevance in Sri Lanka today as we come closer to bringing down the barriers of mistrust and overcoming the fear of terror that have torn our society apart for so long said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Christmas Day message.

“The Spirit of Christmas has greater meaning as it reaches out to comfort the poor and distressed among humans, protect all beings that share this earth with us, and is celebrated with the simplicity of Christian teaching,” the message said.


Full text of the message


The festival of Christmas brings to the world the glad tidings of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, more than two millennia ago.

The message of universal love, kindness and forgiveness given to us by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has spread throughout the world transcending all barriers of country, nationality, race, ethnicity and language.

The spirit of love and joy that Christmas brings has special relevance in Sri Lanka today as we come closer to bringing down the barriers of mistrust and overcoming the fear of terror that have torn our society apart for so long.

The birth of the child Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, signifies the wider vision of Christian love which seeks to embrace all sentient beings and the generous gifts of nature. In today's world pushed into crisis through human greed. The Spirit of Christmas has greater meaning as it reaches out to comfort the poor and distressed among humans, protects all beings that share this earth with us, and is celebrated with the simplicity of Christian teaching.

I wish you a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.