By Norman Palihawadana

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday frowned on a colossal sum of money being spent on the erection of a Christmas tree at the Galle Face Green.

He said it was a vain attempt and the money spent thereon could have been utilised to help the poverty stricken people.

Addressing a press conference at the Bishops House, the Bishop said the Catholic Church was against spending large amounts of money on a Christmas tree.

The Cardinal said that he was not sure of the Ministry engaged in the project but the project should be abandoned forthwith,

Christmas should be an occasion for people to share joy with the needy. It was not an occasion for merry making and extravagance.

Bishops of Galle Raymond Wickramasinghe, Bishop Emmanuel Fernando, Fathers Lal Pushpadeva and Jude Samantha addressed the media.

Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga has embarked on building the world’s tallest Christmas tree at Galle Face utilising the resources of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Courtesy:The Island