By Norman Palihawadane

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith had given permission for the erection of the world’s tallest Christmas tree at Galle Face, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told The Island yesterday.

“Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and I explained to the Cardinal that not a single cent of government funds would be spent on the construction of the Christmas tree on Galle Face Green. Thereafter, the Cardinal gave his consent for the erection of the Christmas tree,” the Minister said.

Minister Karunanayake said that all Sri Lankans were happy to see the erection of the giant Christmas tree being built with iron, used timber, chicken wire mesh and vinyl flowers. Its construction commenced on August 18.

Cardinal Ranjith, contacted for comment, said that he opposed the idea of erecting giant Christmas tree because he had been previously informed that it was being constructed with public funds. “There were reports to the effect that the total cost of the tree will be around Rs. 200 million and it would be borne by the government. So, I asked that it be stopped and that money be used to build homes for the homeless or to provide scholarships to poor children. But, now I hear that the cost of the erection of the Christmas tree will be around Rs. 12 million. I am not against anyone erecting a Christmas tree anywhere to celebrate Christmas. I would not obstruct such actions. But I do not think public funds should be wasted as there are many other priorities and such funds could be used for the benefit of the poor and needy.”

The world’s tallest christmas tree is sponsored under the Arjuna Ranatunga Welfare Fund.

Meanwhile, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga yesterday announced that he was reviving his bid to build the tree. He said the project was back on track after Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had spoken the Archbishop of Colombo.

“The work resumed this morning after the PM’s intervention,” Ranatunga said in a statement. “It will be ready for Christmas.”

Ranatunga said that it would be the tallest artificial Christmas tree ever built anywhere in the world.

According to Guinness World Records, the largest artificial Christmas tree was erected in the southern Chinese province of Guangzhou last year, measuring around 55 metres.

A team in Mexico claimed to have erected a 90-metre tree in 2009.

Last year Sri Lanka’s Catholic church urged priests not to put up Christmas trees in their churches over the festive period, with Cardinal Ranjith saying they had no religious significance.

Courtesy:The Island