Help the poor with money spent on tallest Christmas tree – Cardinal

Help the poor with money spent on tallest Christmas tree – Cardinal

December 6, 2016   07:26 pm

By Yusuf Ariff

Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today urged authorities currently constructing the world’s tallest artificial Christmas tree, which they hope will break the Guinness World Record, to use that money on the country’s poor people instead. 

“This is an unnecessary cost. It would be better if we can build a house for a poor family using this money or give some scholarships,” he said, speaking at a press conference in Colombo. 

He urged those responsible to build the tree halfway if possible and use the remaining money on poor people as it would serve as a message.  

Once completed, the Christmas tree will stand at a height of about 114 meters and be decorated with 500,000 multi-colored lights.  

It will stand next to a 6-meter-tall Santa Claus and two 3-meter-tall reindeers amidst a number of Cyprus trees that will create a forest-like effect.  

Mexico currently holds the world record for the tallest artificial Christmas tree which topped 90 meters in 2009. Authorities from the Guinness World Records will visit the Sri Lankan site two weeks prior to its completion, presumably with a very long measuring tape.  

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Most Viewed Video Stories

Plans underway to remove illegal constructions threatening Sigiriya – Archeology DG (English)

Plans underway to remove illegal constructions threatening Sigiriya – Archeology DG (English)

Govt appoints committee to tackle plastic pollution (English)

Customs records over Rs. 1 Trillion in revenue in first six months of 2025 (English)

One person killed, Mangala's former private secretary injured in shooting at Kandana

🔴LIVE | Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin | 2025.07.03

Elon Musk's Starlink launches satellite internet in Sri Lanka (English)

Sri Lanka to receive 5th IMF tranche following 4th review approval (English)

Foreign university scholarships for A/L top achievers (English)