Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama and staff members attended the Christmas celebrations organized by the Ottawa Sri Lankan Catholic Prayer Group and addressed the invitees on 22^nd December 2018.

At the celebration that was held at the St. John the Apostle Church, High Commissioner Girihagama commended the Ottawa Sri Lankan Catholic Prayer Group for their dedication in bringing the community together to celebrate Christmas, which is celebrated in many parts of the world.  He noted that Christmas is not only religious event and it has cultural dimensions which strengthen bonds between family members as well as communities.  High Commission participates and encourages religious and cultural events such as Thai Pongal, Avurudu, Vesak, Eid, Deepavali and Christmas annually to bring harmony, peace and friendship among the communities.

The Ottawa Sri Lanka Catholic Prayer Group was established in 1999 as a small religious group and has grown to a leading prayer group of Sri Lanka in Ottawa today.

 Rev. Fathers Cryton Outschoorn and Joseph Jacob presided at the Holy Mass.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

28^th December 2018