Cristmas

The Christian population in Sri Lanka is much less compared to Buddhists or Hindus on the island. But in spite of a small community of practicing Christians (around 7%) the preparation for Christmas Festival in Sri Lanka begin weeks before. From the early morning of 1st December, fire crackers are burst ringing in the festive spirit or festive season. Every Christian household, be it in the city or in the rural areas wake up at dawn of the first day of the month of December to perform the first ritualistic task of the month of merry making. Christmas Festival in Sri Lanka is not only celebrated by the Christians but the festival is a major celebratory event with the non Christians too. 
It is not possible to exactly pinpoint the year of commencement of Christmas Festival in Sri Lanka. But perhaps the very first celebration of this festival was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled Sri Lanka from 1505 AD to 1650 AD. Colonial rule continued with the Dutch (1658 AD to 1796 AD) and the British (1815 AD to 1948 AD).
The feel of festivity can be felt in the jam packed shopping centers in the country. Even the small wayside boutiques are geared up to meet and welcome the festive
Christmas trees decorated with great gusto and lit up. They are found in every nook and corner of the cities or the countryside, wherever there are practicing Christians. Christmas Festival in Sri Lanka is a great source of joy specially for the little children. Christmas Day, the commemoration day of the birth of Lord Jesus is a public holiday and the midnight masses are held on the night of 24th December. They are attended by all. Cathedrals, churches and chapels all over the island are decorated with lights and other Christmas decorations. Christmas Day means a great feast in the house where all the traditional Christmas delicacies are prepared. Dinner is an equally lavish affair.