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Christmas celebrations in Killinochchi with tallest tree
Dec 20, 201302:30 AM
A mega Christmas celebration and festival is scheduled to be held in Kilinochchi from 20 December to 22 December organized by the Security Forces Kilinochchi. The people of Kilinochchi are seen to be eagerly waiting for the celebrations to begin.
The population of Kilinochchi that was denied the right to celebrate any cultural or religious festival along with the rest of the population in other parts of the county for almost 30 years due to terrorism is now able to do so. The 2013 Christmas Celebrations festival is believed to be the largest religious and cultural festival ever 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.
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.
Kilinochchi was one of the highly affected areas due to terrorist 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, together with the troops deployed under Security Forces Headquarters Kilinochchi to preserve and carry forward the cultural and religious heritage.
Over 75 soldiers have worked day and night for the last 3 weeks to complete this magnificent Christmas tree. Army engineers have used more than 325 square foldings and 249 GI Pipes to complete the structure and 25 truckloads of Cypress tree branches have been used to decorate it, giving a natural look. This 50 feet diameter and 116 feet tall Christmas tree will have more than 59,000 electricity bulbs and many more colorful decorations. The Kilinochchi Christmas tree will be displayed from 20 December till 31 December to the general public.
This is another initiative by the Security Forces Commander, Killinochchi to preserve the cultural and religious heritage of the people living in the area thus fostering religious and cultural reconciliation and harmony among communities considering the necessity to respect the diversity of our society.
The other important events of the celebrations will include Christmas Carlos, distribution of scholarships to 689 students in Kilinochchi, donation of 3 imported professional racing bicycles worth nearly Rupees One Million, a Carnival with many a variety of items for children and a mega Musical Show by Agni musical band. The event will be graced by the attendance of a number of leading Bishops and many religious dignitaries representing all religions. – (SL Army Media)
