Police Christmas Carols at police grounds

Sarath Malalasekera

The annual Police Christmas Carols was held at the Bambalapitiya Police Grounds on Friday in the presence of a large gathering including present and past senior and junior police personnel and their family members and the public.

Chief Guest Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya and Ms. Balasuriya were received at the entrance to the Police Grounds by Senior DIG N. K. Ilangakoon, Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka and the Acting Commandant Field Force Headquarters Senior SP Neville Karunaratne. Co-ordinated by Field Force Headquarters Administrator and Band SP Priyantha Jayakody.

The Police Band received the chief guest and the entire Bambalapitiya Police Grounds were illuminated with coloured lighting.Former IGPs Frank Silva, Cyril Herath and Chandra Fernando were among the distinguished gathering at the Police Carols.

National Catholic Social Communication Director Rev. Fr. Sriyananda Fernando and Colombo Aquinas University College Rev. Fr. Saman Maximus delivered the Christmas message at the Police Carols.

Singers Dalrene Suby, Anil Bharathi, Keerthi Pasqual and Clifford Richards and the Police choral group performed to the tune of the Police Band led by Band Master Inspector Sumith Liyanage. Assistant Band Masters Inspector Aruna Mudunkotuwa and Bernard Augustine also participated during the performance.

The Police Cultural troupe performed several dance items directed by the Police Cultural troupe Director Superintendent of Police Karunarathna Bandara.

'Santa' distributed several gifts to the children and toffees to the members of the audience during the intervals.

At the end of the program IGP Mahinda Balasuriya thanked the singers, members of the Police Band and the organizers of the Police X'mas carols 2009 for their participation.