December 25, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appealed to Sri Lankans to stand together with courage and a shared sense of purpose, urging the nation to turn to compassion and solidarity as it confronts ongoing challenges.
In his Christmas Day message, the President reflected on the significance of the festival for Christians across the world, who mark the birth of Jesus Christ as a moment of hope, humility and renewal. He noted that this year’s celebration comes at a particularly testing time for Sri Lanka, following a severe natural disaster that has placed heavy burdens on communities while also revealing the country’s resilience and determination to recover.
Emphasising that the spirit of Christmas goes beyond ritual, the President highlighted values such as love, generosity, peace and self-sacrifice, describing them as essential not only to Christianity but to the moral foundation of society as a whole. He said these principles are most clearly expressed through standing up for those who are vulnerable and ensuring that no one is left behind.
The President praised citizens who came forward to help those affected by recent hardships, often travelling through difficult conditions to deliver assistance. Such acts, he said, demonstrated the finest human qualities and gave real meaning to the idea of loving one’s neighbour, a teaching shared across all faiths.
Reflecting on Christian teachings, he spoke of light overcoming darkness and of perseverance in the face of suffering, drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus Christ, whose message of faith and wisdom continues to guide millions.
Concluding his message, President Dissanayake called on all Sri Lankans to face reality with unity and bravery, expressing hope that the Christmas season would rekindle compassion and bring peace, happiness and renewed hope to households across the country. He wished all citizens a calm, joyful and humane Christmas.
President’s Christmas Message:
Christians around the world joyfully commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ with deep devotion today (25), marking the sacred celebration of Christmas.
This year, the people of Sri Lanka observe Christmas at a decisive moment in our national journey, having faced an extremely challenging natural disaster as a nation and while striving with determination to overcome its hardships and rise again. The true meaning of Christmas is love, peace, joy, sharing and sacrifice.
At the forefront of these values is the commitment to support the oppressed and the unwavering dedication to the liberation of all people.
In the face of the recent disaster, the people of Sri Lanka once again demonstrated, in the most practical manner, the noble human virtue of embracing a neighbour in distress with compassion and unwavering resolve, a principle that is upheld by Christianity and all religions. I believe that our citizens who traversed difficult paths to deliver relief to the affected have given living meaning to the Christmas message of loving one’s neighbour and building a society founded on empathy and solidarity.
To dispel darkness, light must be spread. Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ, born in humble surroundings in Bethlehem, sacrificed on the Cross to save humanity from sin on Mount Calvary. He triumphed over death and was resurrected through his unwavering determination, faith and the brilliance of his wisdom.
Therefore, I invite all of you to rise together as a nation, facing the painful challenges of reality with courage and unity. May this blessed Christmas renew our humanity through compassion, and bring peace, joy and hope to every home.
I wish you all a peaceful, joyful and compassionate Christmas!
