‘We should rise together as one nation’

“It is with great pleasure I offer my blessings to Christians in Sri Lanka as well as around the world celebrating Christmas, remembering the birth of Jesus Christ,” Prime Minister DM Jayaratne said in a Christmas message.

The message: “I feel that this is the moment when Sri Lankan Christians enter into the track of miracle after the birth of Jesus Christ which took place , 2011 years ago. We all, as a nation, are lucky to see the beauty of a prosperous future through our eyes with unpleasant memories of the past.

“I believe that Jesus Christ is everlasting in the heart of all Christians who admire co-existence and equality. To make that belief a reality, you should be a real Christian spiritually. You should also be a person who shares love and believes in compassion.

“When one slaps your cheek, you should be patient to give the other. It is only then that you become a real partner of the Holy Bible and a large portion of the heart of Jesus is allocated for you. I think that it is on Christmas your humanity and righteousness is checked. Therefore, please welcome this Christmas as a real Christian. Give more chance for the happiness of the other.

“I would like to remind you that you have a special responsibility at this moment as a Sri Lankan Christian. We who suffered due to three decades of brutal war, have faced the moment when we should rise together as one nation. There, the challenge focused on us locally as well as internationally is not trivial. Therefore, I remind you that this is the moment when your strength and dedication is essential to face those challenges bravely.

“Let’s join hands to fulfil that national duty without racial, religious, caste differences. “May you have a merry Christmas full of happiness and peace!”