In keeping with social distancing measures, devotees who attended the midnight mass heralding Christmas Eve at St. Sebastian’s National Shrine in Kandana spaced out in the pews wearing masks and maintaining social distance.
Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith touched on how the global Coronavirus pandemic has ruthlessly affected the poor while noting the importance of spiritual wellbeing, compassion and honesty.
He spoke of the life of Lord Jesus and how he taught the world of loving one another over oneself. During the mass, he also mentioned the destruction to the environment, how wealth is concentrated on a small segment in society and the level of poverty within the society.
Seen here are Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa and Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control State Minister Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle attending the midnight mass.