CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN KILINOCHCHI AND THE REAWAKENING OF CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
A mega Christmas Celebrations festival is scheduled to be held in Kilinochchi from 20 December to 22 December for the consecutive second year organized by the Security Force Kilinochchi. The People of Kilinochchi, is seen to be eagerly waiting for the celebrations to begin. It is admirable to mention that organizing events of this nature is highly commendable since the population of Kilinochchi was denied the right to celebrate any cultural or religious festival with the participation of rest of the county for the last 30 years until terrorism was eradicated in 2009. In this context 2013 Christmas Celebrations festival is going to be the largest religious and cultural festival held in the Kilinochchi District. The prime aim of organizing this religious festival and ceremony is to strengthen the bond between all ethnicities and religious communities thus letting the younger generation understand the splendor of our cultural diversity and its rich cultural heritage.
The main attraction of this year’s Christmas celebrations would be the tallest and largest Christmas tree in the Island. As per the records as present it is the tallest and largest in Asia with a height of 116 feet. It is noteworthy to remind that in the year 2012 Security Forces Kilinochchi installed the tallest Christmas tree in the Island with a height of 82 feet. The aim of installation of a tallest Christmas tree is to draw the local and international attention and focus to Kilinochchi. Kilinochchi was known to be a totally devastated township due to Terrorists activities. However with the defeat of Terrorism, it is one of the fast developing townships in the Island. This year’s Christmas Celebrations in grandeur at Kilinochchi would indicate to the world the strength, courage, aspiration and the determination of the Kilinochchi people to stand above all the suffering and devastation thus joining together with the Military Troops deployed under Security Force Kilinochchi to preserve and carry forward the cultural and religious heritage. Day and night more than 75 soldiers were working for the last 3 weeks to complete this huge Christmas tree. Army engineers took a huge effort to put together more than 325 square folding and 249 GI Pipes to complete the structure and 25 truckloads of Cypress Tree branches were brought from the Central part of the country to decorate it to give a natural look. This 50 feet diameter and 116 feet tall Christmas tree will have more than 59000 bulbs, and many more colorful decorations. The Kilinochchi Christmas tree will be displayed from 20 December till 31 December for the general public.
In parallel to the infrastructure development activities, Security Forces Kilinochchi under the leadership of Maj Gen Udaya Perera has taken the initiatives to preserve and develop the cultural and religious heritage of the people with the aim to foster religious and cultural reconciliation and harmony among communities considering the necessity to respect the diversity of our society.
This year’s Christmas Celebration will have many important events. The event will includes Christmas Carlos, distribution of Scholarships for 689 Students in the Kilinochchi Security Force Area of Responsibility, Donation of 3 professional Racing Bicycles worth of nearly 1 Rs. Million for 3 cyclists, a Carnival with many variety of items for children and a mega Musical Show by Agni musical band are the most important. The event will be graced by the attendance of number of leading Bishops and many religious dignitaries representing all religions. Harmony Scholarship Sponsorship programme is all made possible with the generous contribution by many donors around the country and overseas. Mr Ricky Wijesinha has contributed to grant 262 scholarship is praiseworthy to mention. Mr. Kusil Gunasekara, Chairmen of Foundation of Goodness donated 250 School Bags and 500 Solar Energizing CFL Bulbs will also be distributed among the School Children during the Christmas Carols Ceremony.
