Indian, S. Lankan leaders’ Christmas messages

Indian and Sri Lankan leaders have wished their fellow citizens on the occasion of Christmas.  "On the auspicious occasion of Christmas, I convey warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow countrymen. I wish everyone a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year,” President Pranab Mukherjee said in a brief message on Christmas Eve. “May this Christmas be an occasion for hope and happiness as well as an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of sharing and brotherhood,” he wrote.  “As the world lights candles for Christmas this year, may the light of love, kindness and compassion glow in every heart and may peace and goodwill prevail in our midst,” the Indian president added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sent a Christmas greeting with a tweet on Friday saying, “Wishing people all around the world a Merry Christmas!"  A Christmas card accompanying the tweet read “May this special day bring joy and prosperity  in your lives. Christmas is a festival celebrated across the world with great gusto. Today we remember the teachings of Jesus Christ and recall his message of compassion and service to the poor.

Sri Lankan president and prime minister also issued Christmas messages invoking the spirit and values of Christ in bringing about healing in the nation.  “Keeping in mind the spirit of Christmas and its embedded human values of giving, sharing, forgiving and taking care of others, let us reach out today to people who were affected during the 30 years of war in Sri Lanka and lend our hands to make their life better,” said President Maithripala Sirisena.  Meanwhile Prime minister Ranil Wickramasinghe wrote, "The message of Christmas is also a message that the world today wants to hear – it transcends ethnic, religious and other man made limits, transforming lives and filling hearts with the joy of the Season. "   

Below is the official text of President Maithripala Sirisena’s Christmas message:

Christmas symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ who assumed a powerful voice, teaching us lessons of kindness and charity that have lasted for more than 2000 years. The Christian message of humanity, love to all beings and humility is seen in the birth of Christ taking place in a stable shared by animals and his first worshipers being humble shepherds.

The philosophy of Jesus is both eternal and universal. Irrespective of one’s faith, we all have a sense of duty to ourselves and to one another to make a difference in the world that is genuine and lasting.

Keeping in mind the spirit of Christmas and its embedded human values of giving, sharing, forgiving and taking care of others, let us reach out today to people who were affected during the 30 years of war in Sri Lanka and lend our hands to make their life better.

The birth of Jesus Christ paved the way for the liberation of humankind with the new teaching of universal love, tolerance and understanding that he gave to the world. As the ringing of church bells and the singing of festive hymns mark this festival, enjoyed in freedom today, I extend my warmest greetings for a Happy Christmas full of Peace and Joy to all Christians of Sri Lanka.

Below is the official text of Prime Minister ‎Ranil Wickramasinghe’s Christmas message :

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ whose life was marked by love, forgiveness and mercy to all mankind. For centuries, His love has ignited the hearts of His followers who celebrate His birth at Christmas by sharing that love with others.

This Christmas, let us be inspired by the embodiment of true Christian living so passionately embraced by Christ. Let us rejoice in knowing the birth of Christ as an occasion to celebrate the spirit of giving and sharing, empowered by a true sense of fellowship among all.

The message of Christmas is also a message that the world today wants to hear – it transcends ethnic, religious and other man made limits, transforming lives and filling hearts with the joy of the Season.

I am pleased to wish everyone a blessed Christmas that brings peace and harmony to all."