Christmas with light of Bethlehem at Palestine embassy

The Palestine embassy held a Christmas event yesterday at the embassy premises, with Colombo's Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith taking part as chief guest, while a parish priest from Bethlehem graced the occasion as the guest of honour.

The event's highlight was the lighting of the Christmas tree and a special lamp brought from Bethlehem by the visiting priest, Rev. Dr. Louis Hazboun.

Carols were sung to entertain the large gathering, which included several diplomats and friends of Palestine.

The Cardinal in his speech expressed his fullest support to the Palestine freedom cause. He urged the world powers to stay out of the Middle East and let the people of the region solve their problems amicably.  

Ambassador Dr. Zuhair M.H.Dar Zaid presented a cheque of Rs. 1 million from the people of Palestine to the Cardinal to hep the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

A one-minute silence was observed to remember the Easter Sunday terror victims and the Palestinians martyred in the freedom struggle.

(Pics by Amila Gamage)