May Christmas bring peace to all -President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Christmas message said that the season of Christmas brings with it the glad tidings of peace on Earth and goodwill among all people.

He said: the message of all encompassing love preached by Jesus Christ, who was born on Christmas Day has an undiminished relevance to this day, in a world faced with bitter divisions among people based on religions, nationality, ethnicity, language, colour and caste.

'In our own country too, we see the need for greater understanding and tolerance that will pave the way to peace and harmony among people.

'The Christian message of love that is recalled every Christmas has a special meaning for the poor and the less advantaged who seek comfort in this world and also touches all species in our world. Christmas, therefore, should be a season where the love of human kindness is extended to all beings, beginning with the lowliest, and including birds and animals too, if the message of the manger where Jesus Christ was born is to have full meaning.

'I wish all who celebrate, this great festival of peace and goodwill a very happy, a peaceful Christmas'.