21st December 2023 13:37:08 Hours
To foster good relations and bonds of community-cooperation, the 55 Infantry Division initiated a spectacle of X'mas Carols at 'Nelum Piyasa' auditorium in Kilinochchi on 18 December 2023, heralding the dawn of seasonal compliments and exchange of goodwill.
The event was organized on the guidelines given by the Commander Security Forces- Jaffna, Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc, and Major General R.K.N.C Jayawardena RSP ndc, the General Officer Commanding, 55 Infantry Division as one more community-oriented project of the Division HQ.
The Vicar General of the Diocese of Jaffna, Rev Fr. Josephdas Jebaratnam graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and delivered the Christmas message, emphasizing the significance of Christmas and its true meaning for the moral development of the masses.
Bringing the holy phenomenon and ambience of it to its climax, Christmas Carols were sung in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, symbolizing 'Peace to the World.' Various choirs, including those from the Baptist Church, Church of South India, Methodist Church, Catholic Church - Kilinochchi, Church of the American Ceylon Mission, and Church of Ceylon, added their voices to infuse spirited melodies and rhythmic variations to the occasion. The participation of the Army dancing team, Beat group from the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, and the brass band of the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police made the entire spectacle an impressive one.
Symbolizing the importance of maintaining peace in the world, all the choirs combinedly presented "Feliz Navidad" as one team, themed "Peace to the World" This combined reverberating chorale attracted hugh appreciation of the participants. The event saw the participation of Buddhist monks, Hindu priests, Muslim Mawulawi, and several other Christian priests. High ranking government officers, such as the District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries of Poonakary, Kandaveli, Karachchi, Head of government organizations and the Police.
The Commander of 1 Corps, General Officer Commanding of 51 Infantry Division, General Officer Commanding 55 Infantry Division, Commander Forward Maintenance Area (North), Brigade Commanders of 551 and 552 Infantry Brigades, Senior Staff Officers, Air Force Base Commander at Iranamdu, Officers, Other Ranks, and members of different Christian denominations, undergraduates of Aravialnagar University faculty and the public in Kilinochchi District participated in the colourful Christmas celebration.
