Sri Lankan faithful join their brethren the world over today (25) to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.
They attended midnight mass, with the main event taking place at St. Francis Xavior Church at Halpe, Katana.
It was presided by Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.
The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus).
A Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life.
Special security arrangements are in place today for churches islandwide, said police spokesman Nihal Talduwa.
Related protection issues could be raised with the police headquarters via telephone no. 011 247 2757, said the SSP.
In the meantime, 1,004 prisoners will be pardoned on account of Christmas.
