By Sarah Hannan
This year’s state-sponsored Christmas mass is to be decorated in batik, handloom, and local crafts, the State Ministry for Batik, Handloom, and Local Apparel Products stated.
State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, during a recent visit paid to Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, proposed making arrangements to commemorate this year’s Christmas festivities with a touch of true Sri Lankan identity.
[caption id="attachment_107690" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith in discussion with State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, 01 December 2020[/caption]
During the discussion, Jayasekara suggested that the state-sponsored Christmas mass this year be decorated using locally produced handicrafts, while the priests and choristers are also to use attire made out of batik and handloom materials.
Accordingly, instead of importing textiles from foreign countries, in order to encourage Sri Lankan handloom fabric manufacturers as well as local weavers, discussions were held to use local textiles and handloom fabrics for Christmas this year. It is hoped that this will enable the local economy to recover from the current downturn.
Discussions were also held about the need to provide room to earn a living for families who have lost their jobs and are facing financial difficulties due to the Covid-19 epidemic, especially since Christmas symbolises compassion towards all and the need to be charitable towards the needy.
A programme is to also be developed to empower daily wage earners who have lost their income, given the present situation in the country.
The expansion of the fabrics produced in this manner throughout the country, as well as measures to popularise them among the people, were discussed during the meeting.
Jayasekara also consulted His Eminence on the proper procedures that need to be followed when designing the attire the church would use. In this regard, suggestions were made on manufacturing the robes, belts, and sashes worn by Catholic priests and bishops using local textile in the months to come.
Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith in discussion with State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, 01 December 2020[/caption]
During the discussion, Jayasekara suggested that the state-sponsored Christmas mass this year be decorated using locally produced handicrafts, while the priests and choristers are also to use attire made out of batik and handloom materials.
Accordingly, instead of importing textiles from foreign countries, in order to encourage Sri Lankan handloom fabric manufacturers as well as local weavers, discussions were held to use local textiles and handloom fabrics for Christmas this year. It is hoped that this will enable the local economy to recover from the current downturn.
Discussions were also held about the need to provide room to earn a living for families who have lost their jobs and are facing financial difficulties due to the Covid-19 epidemic, especially since Christmas symbolises compassion towards all and the need to be charitable towards the needy.
A programme is to also be developed to empower daily wage earners who have lost their income, given the present situation in the country.
The expansion of the fabrics produced in this manner throughout the country, as well as measures to popularise them among the people, were discussed during the meeting.
Jayasekara also consulted His Eminence on the proper procedures that need to be followed when designing the attire the church would use. In this regard, suggestions were made on manufacturing the robes, belts, and sashes worn by Catholic priests and bishops using local textile in the months to come.