Religious leaders call for spiritual Christmas at Sirasa Shakthi Book Donation Drive

by Staff Writer 06-12-2022 | 8:06 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Religious leaders led by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith called on the people to cut down on unnecessary spending and help one another this Christmas.

"The Archdiocese decided that Christmas this year should be celebrated with the poor and needy. We urge the Catholic community and every single citizen in this country, not to waste anything. Festivities at supermarkets and restaurants will not end the hunger of the people. Therefore, I appeal to all citizens NOT to use Christmas as a sales tool and use Christmas to share among others. That will bring about the true meaning of Christmas," said the Archbishop of Colombo.

Today, every single person is working towards providing a better future for their children.

Unfortunately, the today of the children of tomorrow is not a bed of roses.

Some children are suffering from malnutrition, while many others are facing a challenge in accessing education, which is their right.

Today, the price of every single item is skyrocketing, and parents are working tirelessly to make ends meet, provide for their families, and send their kids to school.

Therefore, this Christmas the MTV / MBC Network decided to launch the Sirasa Shakthi Book Donation Drive aimed to foster a better future for the children of Sri Lanka.

The official launch took place at the City Office premises of the Capital Maharaja Group in Colombo on Tuesday (6) afternoon, amidst the blessings of the religious leaders.

Venerable Bakmitiyawe Dhammananda Thero, from the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple highlighted the fact that books and other stationery items are extremely expensive compared to the previous years.

Rt. Rev. Dushantha Fernando, the Bishop of Colombo for Diocese of Colombo said that the children from the Diocese have also supported this endeavour, and not only children but families will bring about change this Christmas, giving renewed meaning to the Spirit Christmas.

Maulavi A. Farook quoted the Quran and said that the first word in the Holy Quran is “Iqra” which means to Read. And the first directive in the Holy Quran is to seek knowledge.

Several donors symbolically handed over school books and stationery items to the Sirasa Shakthi Poth Yathra Book Donation Drive launch in Colombo.

School students from different parts of Colombo, LB Finance, Motha Confectionery Works (Pvt) Ltd, and the Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan were among the donors.

The Sirasa Shakthi Poth Yathra book donation drive will continue until the 24th of December and you can donate exercise books, colouring books, pencils, pastels, rulers, and colour pencils among others to the following collection points.

1. Head Office of the Capital Maharaja Group in Colombo 2

2. Depanama Studio Complex

3. Stein Studios Ratmalana

4. Echelon Square in Colombo

5. Kandy City Center

The Catholic Church, Church of Ceylon, and Methodist Church joined hands with the Sirasa Shakthi Poth Yathra book donation drive.

They too will collect donations and deliver to the Sirasa Shakthi Poth Yathra book donation drive.

The stationery items that you donate, will be delivered directly to the children during Christmas.