Across the Tamil homeland, Tamil Christians gathered to celebrate Christmas, although there were some reports of surveillance by Sri Lankan police outside of the churches.
The celebrations follows raised concerns over religious persecution in Sri Lanka with the UK-based Christian Solidarity Worldwise (CSW) charity reporting that Christians have been “targeted through legal means, via orders to close or register their places of worship". The report further adds that "Hindu kovils (temples) are coming under threat in the north-east as they are being replaced by Buddhist temples, and the grounds on which the kovils stand are being claimed as Buddhist archaeological sites by the Archaeological Department".
Read more here: Former US Envoy urges international pressure to end religious persecution in Sri Lanka
Central Province
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In Hatton Church, Malayaga Tamil Christians gathered in limited numbers due to ongoing concerns over the spread of the virus.
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Batticaloa
Batticaloa Puliyanthivu
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Celebrations also took place in Pillaiyaradi Zion Church which was devestated in 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
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Mannar
Pesalai Our Lady of Victory Church