The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels celebrated Christmas at a colourful event held at the Sri Lanka Residence in Brussels on 15 December 2024, with the participation of the Sri Lankan community in Belgium and Luxembourg.

While wishing the Christians home and abroad a joyous Christmas festive season, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Brussels, Chandana Weerasena highlighted that multi-religious and multi-cultural Sri Lankan social fabric celebrates Christmas promoting togetherness, love and respect as a nation that stands better and stronger.

During the celebration, Rev. Fr. Ranil Camillus from the Netherlands spoke of the significance of Christmas for peace and humanity and delivered Christmas prayers.

Secretary from Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Brussels, Rev. Monsignor In Je Hwang extended a message of Christmas with blessings and good wishes for the Sri Lankan community, on behalf of Apostolic Nuncio and the Dean of the Diplomatic Core in Brussels, Rev. Monsignor Franco Coppola.

Members of the Sri Lankan community in Belgium and the Embassy staff sang popular Christmas carols in Sinhala, Tamil, English and Filipino languages. Adding more colour to the event, children performed a nativity play, re-enacting the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Rev.Fr. Anton Rohitha provided a reflection on the key incidents of the nativity play from a modern perspective, pointing out that Jesus’s birth in a humble setting carries a profound theological and symbolic significance - his mission and salvation are for all humanity, particularly the marginalized and oppressed.

The Sri Lanka Residence was decorated with colourful lights and a Christmas tree, while Santa Claus distributed gifts among children, symbolizing the Christmas tradition of giving gifts. The guests enjoyed a Sri Lankan Christmas dinner and tea following the programme.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Brussels