Features
It’s Christmas time…
I checked out with some known personalities as to what they plan to do this Christmas, and this is what came my way…
* Suzi Fluckiger – Singer (Switzerland)
No big plans, this year. My celebrations will take the form of a family get-together. Here, in Switzerland, Christmas is a bit boring, and that’s the truth. I will be singing till the 23rd of December. There is also a special Christmas party, on 21st December, with only close friends, doing sing-along carols, and some dancing, and eating!
I take this opportunity to wish my friends, music lovers, musicians, and readers of the very popular The Island newspaper, a Peaceful and a Blessed Christmas.
* Sal Salgado – Entertainer (Germany)
I will be back in London for Christmas, with my family, and close friends, and this year is going to be a very special one…after two restricted years, due to the pandemic. I am really looking forward to having a peaceful and a wonderful Christmas. Yes, I know, musicians, in Sri Lanka, have been faced with major problems – the pandemic and the country’s political crisis – but it’s so amazing how you all are doing remarkably well, regardless of all the problems. I wish you all the best and a great success in your musical endeavour.
And to the readers of The Island newspaper, which I eagerly look forward to reading, especially on a Tuesday and Thursday,
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God bless you all.
* Mishi Perera – Singer
Christmas is a time for giving, specially making the poor happy, and so we go to Church, in the morning, and come home and cook a special meal to celebrate with all our maids, and the needy. However, before all that, and since we’re genuine animal lovers, we also make Christmas day special for them by giving our fur babies a special treat, and we also include the squirrels, parrots, crows etc., and the stray dogs in the vicinity. To me, and my home folks, that’s when the real meaning of Christmas comes alive. Merry Christmas to everyone.
* Anton Goonetilleke – Musician (Philippines)
Hi! I take great pleasure in wishing you and your readers a very Happy and Blessed Christmas. This holiday season is going to be exciting for me and my daughter. Together we are going to produce a couple of songs for the Christmas Celebrations, in this beautiful town of IIoilo City, in the Philippines.
* Chulpadmendra Kumarapathirana – Model
At Christmas, gifts come and go, but what really matters are the people who light up our lives all year long. I wanna wish lots of Peace and Joy to everyone this Christmas season. I’m planning on taking a short vacation, with my loved ones. It will certainly be away from the hustle and bustle of the city of Colombo.
* Shayleena Wijerathna – Teen Petite USA (America)
The month of December is not only a special month for me, but also a busy one. On top of the seasonal festivities, it’s my birthday month. I can’t wait to go to the happiest place on earth, aka Disneyland.
On December 10th, 2022, I volunteered at the Living Desert Holiday Party, which was held at the at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, in Palm Desert, CA, organized by the Autism Society of Inland Empire. My tasks assigned included unloading gifts and decorations, setting up tables and chairs, and assisting kids with games and activities. It is a blessing to be able to help support children, adults, and families living with Autism and other disabilities, in my community.
As well as through my non-profit organization, ‘Difference is Beautiful,’ we have partnered with our local police department and organized a toy drive to donate unwrapped toys to underprivileged kids in my community.
Christmas Eve night I plan to spend time with my cousins. On Christmas Day, I plan to spend it with my parents, two younger sisters and my great grandmother. We plan to have our traditional brunch on Christmas morning.
* Sohan Weerasinghe – Singer
Hi! Yes, it’s Christmas time once again, and it’s certainly the most exciting time of the year. This year, for Christmas and the New Year, I will be in London and I hope the city of London will be full of decorations. Although, I will miss my family and my friends, they will be foremost in my thoughts. Do spare a moment for those who are having a tough time due to the economic situation, both here and abroad. While enjoying Christmas, do something meaningful for those who are less privileged than us and give them till it hurts! Cheers and a beautiful Christmas to everyone.
* Sharon De Bruin – Singer (Mirage)
With the blessings of my family, this year I’m excused from Christmas and the New Year, at home, so that I can be in Oman for my shows, with the group Mirage. No doubt, it’s going be kind of sad for me to go through the holiday season without my amazing family. May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of His love at Christmas, and always.
* Arith Ratnawibhushana – Musician/General Manager, Great Southern Hotel (Australia)
I generally spend my Christmas, with the family, and we attend church and invite a few of our close friends for our annual family brunch.
I would like to wish all The Island readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…and blessings.
* Cherrie Chamari – Singer (Australia)
Yes, it’s the season to surround yourself with your loved ones. I’ll be having our annual Christmas party, at home, after three years, celebrating with family and friends. Let’s make it a point to cherish what’s truly important in our lives. Best wishes for a Joyous Christmas, filled with love, peace, happiness and prosperity. Merry Christmas and love to all.
* Merlina Fernando – Singer (Maldives)
Christmas is special to us Catholics because it’s the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I’ve always loved this festive season and, I would say, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
However, I believe one of the best ways we can truly celebrate Christmas, is by doing something nice for another person and there is always someone, among us, who needs a little lift, and to be reminded that they are not forgotten during this festive season. With that in mind, I make sure I do something like that, every year, and it makes me so happy.
My journey has been great as a musician, and this year I will be celebrating Christmas and the New Year, in the Maldives, with my husband. However, we will be coming home soon to further celebrate the brand new 2023 with our family. So excited about that.
I want to wish all my fans, and The Island readers, a very Merry Christmas, filled with love, peace, joy and happiness.