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Halt to World's Tallest Christmas Tree

7 December 2016 02:48 pm - 33     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The ongoing construction of the world’s tallest artificial Christmas Tree at the Galle Face Green had been halted today, the convener of the Prime Mover Driver's Union attached to the Ports Authority and Social Welfare Committee Mangala. P. Gunasekera said.

He told a news conference at the Ports Authority that the construction of the world’s tallest Christmas Tree was halted following a request by the Colombo Archbishop, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, yesterday.

The Cardinal said the construction of a Christmas Tree on Galle Face was a sheer waste of money, and those responsible for this work should be asked to use the funds to construct houses for poor people or provide scholarships to poor children.

“The Ports Authority has no connection with the construction of the Christmas Tree and it has not funded for the construction,” Mr. Gunasekera said.

The construction of the 315 feet Christmas Tree was started three months before with the intention of making a Guinness World Record.

The estimated cost for the Christmas Tree was Rs.12 million and about Rs.6 million had already been spent for the construction.

All the funds had been received as material donations from private companies, Mr. Gunasekera said. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

Video by Biddhi

Pic by Lahiru Harshana


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  Comments - 33

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  • afzi Thursday, 08 December 2016 01:51 PM

    There are lot of pro and cons in this matter but tallest Christmas would have certainly bring more tourists to the island long term which would have been a positive move from my opinion

    Dinesh Thursday, 08 December 2016 05:41 AM

    Why stop now? Let the tree be built. At least it will light up the hearts of kids and people with some magic left in their hearts. I was born a catholic but I have grown sick of the hypocritical duplicity of the Catholic Church. They sick the joy out of life and guilt trip people. Misrepresenting the word of Jesus Christ who preached that we no longer have to live by the law but live with faith, love thy neighbor and peace to all. This tree is a bad idea to begin with but to bring it down now is a worse one.

    Devilchicken Thursday, 08 December 2016 05:50 AM

    Cardinal please tell that to politicians. Why dont you do that? Are you scared? Whatever project we start, we stop in the middle. Atleast conplete this thing and gain some world recognition. The worlds most corrupted country is thinking about poor people. What an irony

    Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 08 December 2016 08:23 AM

    What Archbishop, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says definitely has sense. But then why now?

    mnsmart Thursday, 08 December 2016 08:30 AM

    At least the Christians listen to their Religious leaders, great

    shan Thursday, 08 December 2016 08:58 AM

    should have stopped earlier . Now 6mil is gone .utter waste of money via DM Android App

    Karigalan Thursday, 08 December 2016 09:12 AM

    Typical Sri lankan thinking!If u dont have vision to see SL beauty or future, don't be a leader.Make some land marks as a result people will visit SL.That will reduce our poverty ultimately.

    Jason Thursday, 08 December 2016 01:19 PM

    Do not send the Cardinal to London. He will ask people stop decorations in the Westend to donate money to poor.

    Victor Thursday, 08 December 2016 01:25 PM

    People in glass houses should not throw stones. Do not stop the gov. Making people happy, walk the talk, do something yourself, then let us know.

    Laura Thursday, 08 December 2016 05:31 AM

    Why they want to abandon if the private sector is paying the cost and the project is a promotion for tourism and people's enjoyment.The Church should keep away from non related events and avoid commenting on everything like other religious leaders do.

    Dilan Fernando Thursday, 08 December 2016 04:22 PM

    I am a Catholic, a Sinhalese and most of all a Sri Lanka. Close to 1million Catholics and Christians live in Sri Lanka. What is so wrong in having a giant Christmas

    ALI Thursday, 08 December 2016 04:28 PM

    True, and people from all religions with kids would visit

    hesh Thursday, 08 December 2016 05:03 PM

    First time I have heard that a symbol of Christmas is an unrelated matter to the Church. Miracle of Asia indeed!

    Henry Thursday, 08 December 2016 05:12 PM

    Yes Mohd. You could be the Santa over there!

    Henry Thursday, 08 December 2016 05:15 PM

    ali - who taught your math? Shame on your teachers!

    Henry Thursday, 08 December 2016 05:16 PM

    Laura - please get there on 25th Dec. with a 20ft container to get a load from Santa!

    Henry Thursday, 08 December 2016 05:19 PM

    Hey Jeson don't compare SL to UK.

    Sincere Wednesday, 07 December 2016 06:43 PM

    Whose money, who spent it and who gave permission? Better FCID to investigate!

    Jilla Thursday, 08 December 2016 04:29 AM

    What's wrong about it? Not a single taxpayer money was used

    Lal Thursday, 08 December 2016 04:26 AM

    Private sponsors

    buddika Thursday, 08 December 2016 04:09 AM

    can help poor with those money......most asian and africans r poor because of poor mentality

    ali Thursday, 08 December 2016 03:47 AM

    Had this been completed, would have created more than 12 million in revenue indirectly country in the news for something positive for a change.On the other hand, Prime Movers should have expected this sort of opposing at the time of planning and had a justification readily available.

    mohamed Thursday, 08 December 2016 01:48 AM

    Even though its a waste it will be good popularity for country and it will be good impact for the tourist industry.

    Daham Thursday, 08 December 2016 01:28 AM

    It does not matter whether it is private sector funded or not. It is money that is being wasted for a useless exercise.

    Neo Thursday, 08 December 2016 01:19 AM

    A golden opportunity to unite Sri Lankans felled. A message of peace and goodwill could have illuminated the night sky. Rich kids could have placed toys and gifts for the needy children round that tree. A air of festivity could have prevailed bringing smiles both from near and across the miles.....well...that's just my opinion!

    cedricillasinghe Thursday, 08 December 2016 01:16 AM

    THIS WAS FINANCE BUGGER RAVI KARUNAIKESTUPID IDEA . AS BUGGER IS CHRISTIAN.

    Jagath Leanage Wednesday, 07 December 2016 08:57 PM

    Will see whether so called YAHAPALANAYA will come to action now .

    Suren Wednesday, 07 December 2016 08:08 PM

    Can not understand as to why the Archbishop took so long to realise that the construction of a giant Christmas Tree is an utter waste of money! Rs 6 million down the drain!! Anyway, this is what's called "Loketa parakase , gedarata maragathey"

    Bawa Wednesday, 07 December 2016 08:05 PM

    This was private sector funded. The bishop should appreciate the amount of jobs that it creates, instead of looking for handouts for the poor.

    ari Wednesday, 07 December 2016 07:40 PM

    The Rev. Cardinal is absolutely right. What a waste of funds whether public or private. For a minister to initiate this project is a very bad judgement call.

    faizal Wednesday, 07 December 2016 07:39 PM

    so many doings are awaiting guinness record.this is not going to make a difference. via DM Android App

    Santha Perera Wednesday, 07 December 2016 07:28 PM

    This was in the news few months ago. Did not the Cardinal know about it?Why did his Eminence wait until so much was spent to give his opinion.This seem to be politically motivated.God bless them!

    Lanka Wednesday, 07 December 2016 07:17 PM

    World's littlest country having the world's tallest....Big show....


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