Lankans in US celebrate Christmas

Philip FERNANDO

The annual Christmas celebration of the Sri Lankan Embassy was held in Washington on December 16 in keeping with the tradition of the Embassy of commemorating festivals of all four religions practiced in Sri Lanka.

Deputy Chief of Mission Tissa Wijeratne began the program with a welcome speech, explaining the importance of participating in multi-religious events as a celebration of harmony among diversity. "Christmas of course is a time for giving and receiving gifts," Deputy Chief of Mission Wijeratne told the gathering. "As Sri Lankans, we recognize that this year we have received the greatest gift of all - peace and liberty from the tyranny of violence."