Christmas in Sri Lanka – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
Website: www.Doctorharold.com
Magical and sensational Affair
Transcript: Though 70% of the inhabitants in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese Buddhists and minority Christians, and Hindus, Christmas in Sri Lanka is celebrated with much passion and enthusiasm by everyone. It is a time when families living far apart, some across the seas, meet in their ancestral family home in Sri Lanka and rejoice the season most joyfully. Preparations and arrangements begin a month before Christmas. It is a time to share love, kindness, compassion, and, most importantly, gifts with family and friends. People in Sri Lanka are known to host lavish parties during Christmas. History states that European Colonies influenced Sri Lankan customs and traditions from the 16th century to the 20th century. This is how Christmas became vital to Sri Lankan customs and traditions.
It is traditional for Sri Lankans, especially the Burgher community, to enjoy a piece of special Christmas cake with family and friends. Many European Nations have influenced Sri Lankan cuisines like the Netherlands, Portugal, and Britain. Christmas cake is available in most of the bakery and cafes. The classy cake recipe includes a mixed peel, brandy, spices, and cashew nuts.
Christmas celebrations in Sri Lanka are complete with shopping in the festive markets of Galle and Colombo. There are a series of festive markets in the country where you can purchase gifts and seasonal snacks. Markets are decorated with lights, festive music, and Christmas trees.
Galle Face Green
Galle Face Green is exceptional for people in Colombo to gather and celebrate Christmas, among the massive illuminations. There are vibrant markets everywhere These seasonal and vibrant markets are full of delectable treats and street performers.
All 5-star hotels are well illuminated and decorated, and the more affluent meet for a drink and merry-making. This year, decorations and illuminations in Colombo were far more exemplary than Singapore, which is an excellent achievement for a country under economic crisis a few years ago.
Indulging in Christmas feasts at 5-star hotels is a routine among the affluent. Christmas in Sri Lanka is complete with a delicious and wholesome meal. During Christmas, all the hotels and restaurants come to life with special dinners and events like live music and dance performance. Don’t forget to relish on the mouth-watering roasted turkey, mashed potato, and Christmas cake.
Most Christians attend the midnight mass in Churches in Colombo and the suburbs. The Midnight Mass service occurs in St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo at 11:30 pm on 24th December. The service involves singing, praying with candles, and celebrating the birth of Christ. It is the most placid way to celebrate Christmas.
Most foreign tourists spend Christmas in beech areas like Hikkaduwa, enjoying the breeze and spicy Sri Lankan foods. 7 Places To Visit On Christmas In Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is blessed with many pristine beaches and thrilling wildlife. Experience these fantastic places while holidaying in Sri Lanka on the eve of Christmas:
- Bentota
- Jungle Beach
- Minneriya National Park
- Mirissa
- KK Beach (Kahanda Kanda Beach)
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Dondra Lighthouse
This year 2022, Christmas festivities in Sri Lanka are unimaginable, so exuberant, and lavish at a time when 9 million people live below the poverty line. In the UK, around 14.5 million people are living in poverty, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s UK Poverty Profile 2022. That’s more than one in every five people.
Sri Lanka is performing well; within a short period after the financial crisis two years ago, over 700 thousand tourists arrived in the country compared to 100 thousand in 2021. Such lavish Christmas celebrations in the country are a positive sign for a great revival of our previous pristine years.
Merry Christmas and a very prosperous 2023 to all our viewers.
Goodbye for now.
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