President’s Christmas Message

Christians around the world joyfully commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ today (25) with deep devotion, 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 and, while striving with determination to overcome its hardships, rising 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 compassionately embracing a neighbour in distress with unwavering resolve. Christianity and all religions uphold this principle.

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 realities 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!

Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka