The President, Opposition Leader and the Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena issued their Christmas Day messages on Thursday.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Christmas message stated that the world today faces the enormous challenges of economic imbalance, poverty, environmental threats and terrorism could greatly benefit from the Christian message of love and tolerance.

The President adds that the Christmas festival was also one of importance to all Christians as it was the time of family reunions, and the sharing of gifts that transcends social and all other barriers.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramesinghe in his Christmas message stated that all must keep in mind that the light within us must not be put out and added that this dark situation needs to change and a bright nation which will benefit from good governance will be created.

Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena in his Christmas Message said that  humility is an important value of Christianity and it is a value to be cultivated and upheld by devotees of any religion.

He added that those who follow Christ the great teacher, will no doubt become righteous people to be admired and emulated in turn by all right thinking citizens of the country.

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