As seasonal compliments, set in with the forthcoming phenomenal Christmas and dawn of the New Year - 2014, the Army contributing its share, held its annual Army Christmas Carols on Tuesday (17) evening at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena, Colombo 13 before a distinguished gathering, including Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest.
The service, arranged by Chairman and Committee of the Army Christian Fellowship conducted in Sinhala, Tamil and English, sang odes and hymns jointly to the Prince of the Peace, Jesus Christ and heralded his Birth while praying for world peace goodwill and prosperity.
Rev. Fr. Benedict Joseph, Sri Lanka Army Chaplain, together with Choirs of St. Benedict’s College, Northern Province, Eastern Province and the Army conducted Carols, adding festive atmosphere to the occasion. The congregation began soon after the Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, arrived at the venue, amidst fanfare melodies of the Army band.
Major General Lal Perera, Chairman, Army Christian Fellowship received the Chief Guest who is attending this customary Army event in the Christmas season.
Voices rent to the event by veteran artistes, like Ms Corin Almeda, backed by the Army Choir with the most celebrated melody, ‘Holy Night’, came in for praise and appreciation of the congregation. Choirs of Good Shepherd’s Convent, Northern and Eastern Provinces, contribution of Ranaviru Real Stars and combined choirs, added colour to the occasion.
Mr Eshantha de Andrado, Lieutenant Colonel W.B.N.L Fernando and a few others too joined in for separate Choirs while popular singers, Anil Bharathi, Ronnie Leitch, Mariazelle Goonetillake and a few other leading vocalists, backed by veterans in the Army Choir, added colour and rhythm to the occasion as those soloists appeared before the gathering.
Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Ciswan de Croos at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch, Past Commanders, Retired Senior Army Officers, Chief of Staff, Major General Crishantha De Silva, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General E.P de Z. Abeysekara, Senior Army Officers, Officers and Other Ranks with their spouses, attended the Christmas Carols -2013.
This is a customary Army event during the Christmas season.
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