By Norman Palihawadana

Chairman of the committee which was entrusted the work on the giant Christmas tree which was being constructed at the Galle Face Green, Mangala P.Gunasekera yesterday said the project was called off and its objective was religious harmony.

Addressing a news conference at the Ports and Shipping Ministry auditorium Gunasekera said the giant Christmas project had been a major attraction to many people including foreigners, who were planning to visit Sri Lanka and the occupancy rates of star class hotels had further increased.

But, in the end the hopes of all those had been dashed, he said.

Gunasekera said due to objections from the Catholic Church, the committee decided to call off the project.

He denied any official involvement of the Ports and Shipping Ministry with the project though a few employees of the ministry had a hand in it.

If the giant Christmas tree had been completed it would have been a world record, he said.

“Although the project had the blessings of the Catholic clergy the organisers had not obtained the permission of the Catholic Church.” Gunasekera said.

A tearful E.S. Nanayakkara the creator of the Christmas tree said. “All our hopes were dashed after millions of rupees had been spent on the project.”

Courtesy:The Island