The 55 Infantry Division Celebrated Christmas Carols in Kilinochchi

As a goodwill gesture and also to maintain strong bond with the community in the Kilinochchi District, the 55 Infantry Division conducted the annual Christmas Carols event. The 551 Infantry Brigade orchestrated this festive occasion on December 18, 2023, transforming the "Nelum Piyasa" Theater into a vibrant and eye catching venue. The event was executed under the guidance of Commander Security Force Jaffna, Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi, supervised by Major General Nalin Jayawadena, the General Officer Commanding 55 Infantry Division.

The Vicar General of the Diocese of Jaffna, Very Reverend Fr. Josephdas Jebaratnam, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, The Vicar General of the Diocese delivered a Christmas message, emphasizing the significance and true meaning of Christmas.

Maintaining the ambiences of the Christmas, Christmas Carols were sung in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, symbolizing 'Peace to the World.' Various choirs, including those from the Baptist Church, Church of South India, Methodist Church, Catholic Church - Kilinochchi, Church of the American Ceylon Mission, and Church of Ceylon, added their voices to infuse melody and rhythmic variation into the occasion. Glamour was further added with the participation of the Army dancing team, Beat group from the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, and the brass band from the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police.

Symbolizing the importance of maintaining peace in the world, all the choirs gathered as one team named "Peace to the World." This combined chorale presented "Feliz Navidad." The event saw the participation of Buddhist monks, Hindu priests, Muslim Mawlawi, and numerous Christian priests. and also higher ranking government officers such as District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries of Poonakary, Kandaveli, Karachchi, Head of government organizations and Police.

Further, high-ranking military officials including Commander 1 Corps Maj Gen Saliya Amunugama, General Officer Commanding 51 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Vajira Welagedara, General Officer Commanding 55 Infantry Division, Major General Nalin Jayawadena Commander Forward Maintenance Area (North) Maj Gen Menaka Fernando, Commander 551 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier Jude Kariyakarawana, Commander 552 Infantry Brigade Brigadier Suresh Radalage, Senior Staff Officers, Commanding Officers, Air Force Base Commander Iranamdu, Officers, Other Ranks, and members of various Christian denomination, undergraduates of Aravialnagar University and the public in Kilinochchi District participated.