The Embassy staff together with their families & friends, joined by safe-house inmates and the local Sri Lankan Christian & Catholic community celebrated Christmas at the Embassy on 26th December in a spirit of unity and harmony with the sounds of bells marking the festivities. The event, the first ever organized by the embassy Seva Vanitha Unit (Ladies Welfare Group) in Kuwait, held in a truly Christmas festive setting, amidst a traditional Christmas Tree, Christmas Choir, Santa Claus, Christmas gifts etc. among other attractions. The evening was put together in recognition of the beliefs and practices observed by multi religious/multi ethnic communities of Sri Lanka. There was a large gathering of invitees comprised of Sri Lankans belonging to all faiths, foreign guests, Kuwaitis, members of media, well-wishers etc.
The evening began with the lighting of the Christmas Tree by the Chief Guest Father Felix Mallawarachchi, Spiritual Director Sri Lanka Catholic Guild in Kuwait. In his Christmas message, Father Mallawarachchi blessed the gathering and conducted prayers in which he praised the Lord Jesus for his kindness, compassion and love towards human beings. He emphasized the relevance of Christmas as an occasion specially for the children and loved ones to get together and share joy and happiness with one another. Father also praised the Sri Lankan community in Kuwait for their show of unity and solidarity and conveyed his best wishes. for a Happy Christmas and a New Year filled with happiness and prosperity.
On behalf of the Seva Vanitha Unit, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Kuwait Sarath Dissanayake delivered a speech in which he welcomed the guests and appreciated their gracious presence on the occasion. While thanking the Sri Lankan community for their valued patronage of social gatherings organized during the year, he expressed the wish that their goodwill and generosity will go a long way in further strengthening the relations between Sri Lanka and Kuwait. In closing, on behalf of the embassy staff, he conveyed best wishes to Sri Lankans for a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
The members of the Christmas Choir, elegantly dressed up in red/white costumes typical for the occasion, presented Christmas Carols and prayer songs to a spell bound audience. The safe house inmates also performed Christmas songs and dances adding glamour to the evening. The Santa Clause who emerged from the crowd made the children happy by presenting gifts.
At the end of the celebrations Father Felix Mellawarachchi accompanied by Dr. Imbulana, Embassy Visiting Doctor visited the safe-house where he blessed the inmates for their happiness and well-being. He also gave away special Christmas gifts and relief goods to all inmates.
The “Christmas Festival” was the last “Embassy - Diaspora Gathering” for the year in a series of socio-cultural events organized by the Embassy together with the Seva Vaitha Unit that featured important Sri Lankan festivals such as National Day, Sinhala & Tamil New Year, Vesak, Poson, Ramadan, Deepavali, Sri Lanka Day, International Women’s Day, Cultural Shows & Charity Bazaars etc.
The programme was compered by Mrs. Poornima Jayathilaka. The evening concluded with a reception for the guests and participants.
Sri Lanka Embassy
Kuwait
28.12.2009
