X’mas celebration at SL Embassy in Jakarta

With the commencement of the season of Advent, Sri Lankans in Indonesia celebrated Christmas at the Embassy of Sri Lanka at Jalan Diponegoro, Jakarta on December 2, 2017, a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

The evening which began with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp was characterized with Christian religious ceremony and sermons by Rev. Leo Halle, Vicar of the Gereja Protestan Indonesia Barat (GBIP - West Indonesia Protestant Church). He shared the message of Christmas including the care and joy which need to be shared with the lowly, and the oppressed. He observed that the world needs to sustain the true meaning of Christmas. Rev. Leo Halle blessed the people of Sri Lanka, in particular the Sri Lankan community in Indonesia, the Leaders and people of the two countries and prayed for peace and harmony amongst the peoples of the world. The evening was brightened with Carols by the Hosanna Choir of Gereja Bethel Indonesia (GBI) – the repertoire which included popular carols such as, Joy to the World, O little town of Bethlehem, the First Noel, O Christmas Tree and several other traditional carols.

Sri Lankans of all religions joined the Christian community in Christianity has made to the plural character of Sri Lankan society pointing also to the influence in Education, Music, Art and Architecture. While conveying the good wishes of the Government and the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the community celebrating the event which was also attended by Indonesian friends.

In his remarks, Ambassador Dharshana M. Perera outlined Sri Lanka’s Christian heritage and the contribution Christianity has made to the plural character of Sri Lankan society pointing also to the influence in Education, Music, Art and Architecture. While conveying the good wishes of the Government and the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the community, he expressed appreciation for the wonderful manner in which the community, with the participation of all religious segments, have come together in Jakarta to celebrate the country’s plural character through the commemoration of all major religious festivals of Vesak, Deepavali, Ifthar/ramazan and Christmas.