'Easter, most important Christian festival'

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne yesterday said that Easter is the most important festival of Christians, the significance of which is the Resurrection of Christ three days after His crucifixion on Mount Calvary. The Prime Minister was speaking at the National Easter Celebrations held at Visumpaya, the official residence of the Prime Minister, at which a distinguished gathering including Ministers, Parliamentarians, Christian priests and many others were present.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne lights the traditional oil lamp at the National Easter celebrations at Visumpaya

The Prime Minister further said, "Easter is celebrated by billions of Christians all over the world. Easter reminds Christians that the spirit of love taught by Jesus Christ should extend to all other living beings. We should respect all religions. President Mahinda Rajapakasa does a great service for the betterment of all religions. It is difficult to develope a society which does not like to change. Though we make a great effort to change the attitude of some people, we cannot do it".

His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo speaking at the occasion said, "It is necessary to have generous attitudes towards all nations living in the country to make a better Sri Lanka.

We cannot do anything by being selfish. We should be humble and think about others. Spiritual progress is very much essential to release our selfish minds. People prefer to do what they like. It is difficult to do what they do not like. This is the common truth. Though a person is rich or poor, he can live happily if he is generous".

The Archbishop of Colombo further said that we all have a world of our own and that most of the time our attitudes, views and wishes are limited only to that small world. People should think beyond, and respect other people's views as well. He also stated we should not think only about our nation, religion and political view but should respect other nations and religions as well. "After thirty years now we have a new Sri Lanka. So we should extend our hands towards other nations to create a better Sri Lanka", the Archbishop stated.

He further said that spirituality is very much essential than nationality, religion and other personal views as we can help others through it. We should not worry about our past errors. Errors can occur, and be corrected as well but first they should be accepted to be corrected.

Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardena, Minister Milroy Fernando, Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake and Secretary to the Prime Minister S. Amarasekera were also present at the occasion.