When the two peace delegation arrived they were warmly received by offering Lotus flowers. After the inauguration ceremony a Tamil youths from Mannar and Jaffna accompanied a Sinahala youths and similarly all of them left for their homes to start a home hospitality exercise.

The notable feature was the warmth with which these people experiencing such an event received them. Some with inquisitiveness and others with a real feeling of comradeship made their guests who came with some trepidation very comfortable. . The four day camps began with an introduction and accommodating the guests at host families . The next day was allocated for group discussions Their theme was to identify the role of the youth to build a nation sans the ethnic and religious divisive feelings.

It was transpired at the discussions that living separately ethnically leads to violence, break down of the social order proliferation of hate and a hindrance to the path of development of the country. Similarly the opposite of it is true when the country is at peace and working in harmony.

There is no doubt that these opportunities helped to reduce the attitude of suspicion and mistrust that existed among the religious and ethnic groups and it turned to friendship and brotherhood. It was abundantly clear that this outward expression of goodwill helped to practically display its efficacy. Thus they were of the belief that the number of Shantisena units should increased and the need to learn each others languages were emphasized

The usual items of Sharamadan (gifting of labour) and cultural displays occupied the other two days. In Mannar the Maradamadu Church and in Jaffna the recently constructed Tellipalei hospital lying in the high security zone needed clearing as it had been neglected. This was a huge project that earned the admiration of the community. It also demonstrated the fact that they can achieve purposeful results with united effort irrespective of harbouring differences.

I wish to pay my deep respect to the Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand and my admiration to the Royal Thai Government for the blessings they have given to hold the 7th UN Day Vesak Celebrations in Thailand, as they have on five previous occasions. I also sincerely thank the organizers, namely, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University of Thailand and Inner Trip Reiyukai International of Japan for inviting me to give a keynote address at this auspicious event on the theme: Global Recovery – A  Buddhist Perspective.

We as Buddhists of the World, in my opinion, have a greater responsibility at this time towards the survival of life on this planet than followers of any other faith. In the Teachings of the Buddha, for example, as taught in the Kalama Sutta, we are not expected to accept anyone or anything as an authority. It is a fundamental practice in Buddhism to inquire into the working of our own mind through investigation and questioning, and resolving problems by appropriate actions in our world.  We ourselves are the ultimate authority when it comes to the acceptance or rejection of any thing. Therefore, as human beings we have first to find out what has gone wrong in the world before we can look for correctives which we ourselves can implement without beseeching an external authority to intervene. The responsibility of a global recovery is entirely in our hands.

The Buddha placed before us two conceptions of the world namely, “An external objective world” and “an internal personal world.” We have to understand the objective world in the context of the universe which is in a vast cosmic space. The Buddha discouraged cosmic speculations, as such speculations have no existential relevance for us. He emphasized the importance of our understanding the “inner personal world” which is created by us, ourselves. In Buddha’s words “I do proclaim that in this very fathom-long body, with its Perceptions and Consciousness, is the world, the arising of the world, the cessation of the world and the path leading to the cessation of the world”

As far as the external world is concerned the Buddha referred in some detail to the vastness of cosmic space and the innumerable number of worlds located therein. These galactic systems are continuously undergoing change both internally and externally. Several discourses (suttas) delivered by the Buddha, especially Agganna Sutta, vividly explained the processes of the origin, the dissolution and the reappearance of the world and life on this planet. He cautioned us not to attempt to go into too detailed a study of these numerous world systems or galaxies as these are endless and cannot be comprehended by the worldly human mind.

However, a basic understanding of the external world is indispensable for our existential purposes as that influences the environment in which we live. We Buddhists believe in three factors that influence our personality as mentioned in the Maha Mangala Sutta. -“Pathirupa Desa Vasoca – Pubbeta kaca Punnata, Atta Samma Panidica” – These are the Environment in which we live, our past Kammas and the degree to which we can bring our own minds under control. These are three among the thirty eight auspicious factors mentioned by the Buddha in this Sutta.  

Detailed studies of the external universe do not contribute to reduce our suffering in this cycle of births and deaths in which we are caught. Therefore, it is more important to understand and cross this sansaric ocean – the cycle of births and deaths. That is why rather than becoming overly involved in the teaching of external sciences such as astronomy and astrophysics or biochemistry and such other physical sciences the Buddha concentrated on the subject of helping us to understand the internal science of our own mind. The Buddha discovered the  Four  Noble Truths and advocated us to follow the Noble Eightfold Path and related moral codes of discipline. However, Buddha’s teachings provide very worthy lessons of human conduct to maintain the health of our planet which is indispensable for our very existence.

Now the question before us is what has gone wrong in this ‘external world’ which make us suffer more than before and what are the factors that cause this continuous degeneration and finally what we can do in our ‘personal world’  to reverse this process. From a Buddhist perspective global recovery has to begin with oneself. Collectively speaking we have to begin with ourselves as families, groups, rural villages, urban communities, nations and as the world community or the human family.

When we look for the causal factors that led to the present degeneration in our world we have always to keep in mind that, in the same way we are all inter connected and interdependent from the human personality to the global human family, all these causal factors are also interconnected. This is what is taught by the Buddha in the Discourse on Dependent Origination or Paticcasamuppada Dhamma. Therefore when looking for corrective measures we have to pay attention not only to the individual factors but to the totality of the causal factors and devise ways and means to deal with them as a whole.

In daily Buddhist practice we cultivate the thought ‘May all sentient beings be well and happy’- in Pali language “Sabbe Satta Bhavantu Sukkhithaththa.” So looking at things, life and the world holisticaly -sabbe-is what we are used to as Buddhists.

Today the world is faced with numerous global problems. Poverty, Disease, Environmental Pollution, Climate Change, Violence and Crimes, Drug Addiction, Women and Child Abuse, Corruption, Wars and Terrorism and Powerlessness that comes out of Violation of Human Rights, are some of these. All of these and their causes are interrelated. All these problems can be traced to the lapses in human conduct.

Most people I talked to expressed the view that poverty is the number one problem that humanity is faced with. But very few recognized the relationship that poverty has to other factors like affluent life styles of a few in the world who grab for themselves an unfair quota of the world’s resources , powerlessness of the poor, economic exploitation and the resultant vicious circle consisting of ignorance, illiteracy, disease, divisiveness, violence, drug addiction and so on. So any portfolio for the eradication of poverty has to take into consideration all these factors

As Buddhists we cannot advocate or apply violent means for removing the causes that bring about poverty. So non-violent means have to be found and used to combat poverty and the other problems related to it. This implies that the spiritual life of the community has to be uplifted. In all countries there are spiritual traditions that can be regenerated to bring members of the community in a spirit of togetherness, to promote loving kindness and to develop self-reliance. Together they can first discuss and learn the causes that keep them in poverty and then formulate the kinds of actions they can undertake to bring about change. All this starts with the simple practice of Anapanasati  ( Mindful Breathing ) and  watching one’s own mind.

In Sri Lanka a highly successful integrated rural awakening movement, at the core of which is poverty eradication, has been going on for the past 52 years. The movement known as Sarvodaya – to Awaken All – has its presence in over   15,000 village communities in Sri Lanka belonging to all ethnic and religious communities in the country. The fact that Sarvodaya is based on the Buddhist principles of Non-violence has not adversely affected people from non-Buddhist communities such as Hindu, Muslim and Christian from joining. The essence of religion is its potential to awaken the spiritual energy in man. Once this energy is released man-made barriers melt away and transformation of community consciousness occurs.

The Buddhist values which are willingly accepted by non-Buddhists in this community organization strategy can be summarized as follows:

Metta (Loving Kindness), Karuna (Compassionate Actions), Mudhita (Dispassionate Joy), Upekkha (Equanimity), Dana (Sharing),  Priya Vacana (Pleasant Language), Arthacarya (Constructive Actions) and Samanathmatha (Equality).

The Community begins to accept poverty and its related causal factors as a challenge they can successfully face and surmount with self reliance, community participation and a scientific approach. This is how science can be utilized in influence the environment we live in – a practical way. They harness their traditional values, skills and technologies, natural and human resources to satisfy their Basic Human Needs such as water, food, clothing, shelter, health care, energy, education, communication, spiritual, cultural and environmental needs. Thus from grassroots up a people’s power constructively and non-violently transform the poor communities can be successfully developed globally in accordance with the Buddhist Way.
    
From a Buddhist perspective transformation of the consciousness should also take place in the affluent and powerful sector of the community.. The principles enunciated above are equally beneficial to them to awaken their human personalities and to bring security and joy of living to their families. If they too join the efforts of the community by sharing a  part  of  their  excess  land-holdings with  the landless, make material and monetary donations or professional services for their educational, health, housing and cultural programs and so on then the disparities that lead to jealousies, rivalries, class conflicts, violence, terrorism and thefts may be mitigated.

The rich and the privileged can also subscribe substantially to train young people for gainful employment in the community. Without having maximization of profit as the sole objective they can start agricultural and small scale industrial enterprises at the community level to absorb youth to build new economic relationships. They can greatly assist to create a new generation of young entrepreneurs who respect nature, environment and humanity. When they are thus gainfully employed the village or urban community can never become a breeding ground for lawless elements, drug traffickers, drug addicts or alcoholics and later on as HIV/AIDS victims.

While charity is a good thing and we should promote charitable deeds, we must not forget the fact charity cannot be a substitute for justice. Furthermore indiscriminate charity breeds beggars. So people who possess immense wealth and control the global financial economies  must undergo a revolutionary change in their consciousness and give leadership for a sustainable global economic transformation which works for all. If they fail in their universal duty at this time, as well illustrated by the Buddha in his numerous teachings such as those contained in Chakkawatta Sihanada Sutta, Agganna Sutta  and  Kutadantha Sutta, they will have to bear the major responsibility for multiplying terrorism, accelerating environmental hazards  and ecological imbalances  to uncontrollable global proportions.
 
It is a well known fact that national and multinational corporations wield great influence over governments.  Therefore these corporations have a great responsibility, some times greater than the governments, for the survival of our planet and all forms of life including humans on it. Some of the most educated and capable brains on this planet are employed by them. Only if there is a shift in the consciousness of the controllers of these multinational corporations and governments perhaps most of the global problems we referred to can be tackled successfully.  Is  there  a  way  that  Buddhism  can  influence  that process?

Transforming the consciousness of those who control the economy may not be that difficult to be achieved if we in those Asian countries like Japan, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, where majority of people are practicing Buddhists, make a singular effort to combat these problems at community level by transforming the rural and urban communities in an integrated way.  By simultaneous transformation of their consciousness, the economy and political power relationships communities can be made to bear the total responsibility for maintaining law and order, peace, carrying out community development programs and for implementing a participatory form of self governance.  This will be an example to those that have a global influence such as the proprietors of multinational corporations and rich people within our societies. There is no need to confront them in violent ways, verbally or otherwise. After all every human being is subject to the Law of Suffering, as Buddha taught us. However much rich or powerful one may be, he or she cannot escape from physical, mental and emotional suffering. The way to over come suffering and achieve lasting happiness is to follow the spiritual path shown to us by the Buddha. 

The Buddha advised the  seekers after lasting  Happiness (Nibbana) or Supreme Enlightenment to diligently strive to understand the three cardinal laws Impermanence (Anicca), Unsatisfactoriness (Dukkha) and Egolessness (Anatta) to which we all are subject to.  When in thousands of rural and urban communities, people learn this Dhamma and practice the three virtues of Sila (Morality) and  Samadhi (Concentration) and develop Panna (Wisdom)  the influence it will have on society could be extraordinary. This will create an enormous spiritual energy that will transform many rich and powerful leaders to follow the path of the Dhamma – the Noble Eight fold Path. 

The last but not the least important problem that concerns us is the increasing organized violence in the world.  When democratically elected governments and law abiding citizens are threatened, tortured  and  killed  by terrorist groups  governments are also forced to allocate more of their resources to counteract them by greater violence. Occasionally governments can succeed in defeating terrorists as in my country, Sri Lanka, but at great human cost. The roots of terrorism and war cannot be easily destroyed. As the Buddha says “Hatred does not cease by hatred. It is by non-hatred that it can be removed.”  It is only by allocation of more and more resources to spiritual moral and cultural development of the people while improvements to social economic and political rights are also ensured that people can be led to the path of non-violence. Human rights violations especially to women and children must be totally stopped if we are to sustain a civilized level of human society.

In recent years human societies have experienced great loss of human lives and properties from Earthquakes, Tsunamies, Floods, Hurricanes, Tornados, Eruption of volcanoes and such other natural disasters. Similarly large scale human sufferings have been brought about by deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and heart diseases. In Buddhist societies there is a general belief that when rulers in a society are not righteous, they disobey or violate Niyama Dhammas (Cosmic Laws), namely, Laws of Nature such as those pertaining to Bija (Genes), Utu (Seasons), Kamma (Cause and Effect), Citta (Mind) and Dhamma (Phenomena), and when there is no good governance nature revolts and brings destruction to those societies. Aren’t there signs that this revolt on the part of Nature is taking global proportions and therefore shouldn’t the whole of  humanity  rally round to save our planet, our nature, our human society and values ? The Buddha showed us the way 2600 years ago.

The Sarvodaya-JDC Community Disaster Management Centre has made a public appeal today to assist the affected communities. In a brief meeting this morning at the Centre to plan and implement the emergency flood relief operations it was noted that more than 220 Sarvodaya Service Villages have been affected by the floods as at today in Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Galle and Rathnapura districts (21st May, 2010). Sarvodaya has already distributed more than 2,500 food parcels to the affected communities.

Under the emergency flood relief operations Sarvodaya has already provided 300 food parcels in Moratuwa area in Colombo district, 575 food parcels in Gampaha District and 1,688 food parcels in Kalutara district. This will continue in days to come.

Sarvodaya appeals the friends and organizations to provide the following essential items to assist the affected: milk powder, toilet soup, washing soap, towels, baby napkins, baby and women sanitary items, bed sheets, mosquito coil packets, 1 liter and 5 liter bottles, mosquito nets, candle packets, safety match boxes, hurricane lamps, tin sheets and family tents (list adapted from Disaster Management Center of Sri Lanka).

Sarvodaya also wishes to appeal for mats and new children’s clothes for the affected.

Sarvodaya is in the process of organizing health clinics with Sarvodaya Community Health Unit to treat the affected and to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Sarvodaya Shanthi Sena has organized its youth membership in cleaning the polluted water wells. Distribution of food parcels, community cooking, dissemination of landslide risk information to vulnerable communities will continue.

For more information of the situation please see the following documents.

Situation report as at 1800 Hrs on 20.05.2010 (Disaster Management Center of Sri Lanka)
Flood affected areas as at 1200 Hrs on 20./05.2010 (Disaster Management Center of Sri Lanka)

If you need to have more information of the Sarvodaya Relief Operations please contact Mr. Subasena de Silva, Deputy Executive Director sarsube@sarvodaya.org 0777635015 or Mr. Chamindha Rajakaruna, Director (Programmes) chamindha@sarvodaya.org 0777710205.

Addressing the gathering the founder-president of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne stated that creating a republic of self-ruling (Gramaswaraj) villages with strong community action in all parts of the country could solve most of the social, cultural, economic and power related issues Sri Lanka faces today. Sarvodaya Deshodaya (awakening nation) initiative with its Divisional and District Deshodaya Forums create platform to reach this objectives with the engagement of a variety of stakeholders in the civil society of Sri Lanka including the academics, professionals, public servants, community based organizations and members of thousands of Sarvodaya Shramadana Societies island wide. Presently more than 5,000 Sarvodaya Shramadana Societies have been registered as legally independent Community Based Organization under the patronage of ‘Sarvodaya’.

This is the first time such a gathering has been organized in Trincomalee after the massive peace meditation to commemorate the World Peace Day on 21st September 2008 in Trincomalee Sarvodaya District Center at the peak of the conflict where more than 10,000 people participated. The present event is important in the sense that the violence has been eliminated and the space is opening for more community action and engagement to promote ethnic cohesion and good governance.

The participants appreciated the capacity of the Sarvodaya Trincomalee staff to accommodate such a large number of people with best facilities for this 3 days gathering. The voluntary contribution of the Sarvodaya membership in the area in receiving the participants was highly admired by the participants from other parts of the country.  They also had the opportunity of visiting the historical religious and cultural places in the area which were inaccessible during the peak of conflict.

The first Sarvodaya National Deshodaya Assembly marked important milestone in the 52 years of Sarvodaya services to the nation. The primary objective of the National Deshodaya Assembly is to promote the participation and improve the engagement of the people in the decision making processes, both in the localities and in the national level. The Deshodaya members are the village and community leaders of the localities and they will represent their communities in Divisional, District and National Deshodaya Assemblies.

Prior to the Sarvodaya National Deshodaya Assembly, in January 2010 almost 500 Deshodaya members who represent the all parts of Sri Lanka gathered in the same place for four days and enriched the objectives of the first Sarvodaya National Deshodaya Assembly and its role and declaration with their views. The Deshodaya members from all the provinces of Sri Lanka including the north, south, east and west, representing all ethnic and religious groups shared their experiences of the Divisional and District Deshodaya Assemblies and contributed to the process. They also considered the trans-national concerns such as global warming and global climatic change and the role of Deshodaya members in preparing the communities to face such global challenges.

Parallel to the Sarvodaya National Deshodaya Assembly, a huge door-to-door Shramadana (sharing the labour) Campaign was organized to clear the plastic and polythene waste accumulated in Saturukondan area. Saturukondan has been affected by the Sri Lankan conflict and war for three decades and this Shramadana Campaign opened up new space for ethnic harmony, integration and working together. This has been prime opportunity for the people from other districts to interact with the people of Saturukondan.

All Sarvodaya officials and employees from headquarters to districts offices participated in the event. Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, the founder-president of Sarvodaya Movement, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, the General Secretary and Mr. Saman Algoda, the Executive Director also addressed the gathering. In future such Sarvodaya National Deshodaya Assemblies will be held island wide and it is expected to train hundred thousand Deshodaya leaders to serve the nation.

During this event all the participants pledged themselves as members of the Sarvodaya National Deshodaya Assembly and devoted themselves to achieve the objectives of the Sarvodaya National Deshodaya Assembly for the wellbeing of the all Sri Lankans.

After witnessing the increasing trend of violence leading to the polls, Sarvodaya declared a 12-day meditation campaign starting from 18th of January with the aim of “harnessing the spiritual energy of individuals through out the country to ensure a peaceful presidential election 2010 and to contribute to creating a peaceful society”.

The meditation started with prayers and blessings from the venerable maha Sangha and religious dignitaries representing Hindu, Islam and Christian faiths. This was followed by Dr.A.T.Ariyaratne leading the one hour meditation

Regular daily meditations will continue to be held through out the country and the programme will end on 29th of January.

PURPOSE: A non partisan effort by the people of Sri Lanka to ensure a peaceful presidential election 2010, and to ensure your life, your livelihood, and your vote is respected.

WHY: Leaders from the religious, civil and business communities have jointly proposed to ‘MEDITATE FOR A PEACEFUL ELECTION’ over this 12 day period. Peace is the birthright of the Sri Lankan people. By participating in a meditation practice with the intention of peaceful conduct during the ongoing presidential election period, we take personal responsibility for its outcome.

HOW: By harnessing the spiritual energy of individuals throughout the country we cultivate a peaceful mindset and we collectively create a peaceful society. Daily meditation times are suggested and techniques widely used in all the diverse spiritual traditions of the major religions. These suggestions can be simply followed by all Sri Lankans concerned about a peaceful election.

WHEN: 12 days. Regular daily meditations and a series of mass public events will be organized around the country with the support and participation of all communities. On Sunday 24th January, from 3-5pm, large scale mass meditation and prayer events will be held in all districts.

WHERE: In your home, your workplace, your school, your place of spiritual worship, anywhere and everywhere you enjoy being. The suggested daily meditations are between 6-7am, 12-1pm and 7-8pm. Specific types of meditation, prayer, chants, visualization and songs, will be outlined by the various groups promoting the initiative, and will cater to the diverse spiritual backgrounds of all the people of Sri Lanka.

YOUR role: By focusing your effort, energies and thoughts, on the single objective of ensuring a peaceful election, YOU take part in a powerful collective effort that unites all peoples of Sri Lanka. You influence the outcome.

Peace is a central virtue common to all spiritual faiths. ‘Let us spread compassion to all’.

We must make sure to take the election process forward with peaceful thoughts, peaceful strategies and peaceful action. In this regard the following meditation will help to guide us on to a path of non-violence as an individual, as a group and as a collective.

Common Guidelines:

• Do not think or speak of political parties, colours, symbols or persons
• Do not think or speak of socio-economic situations in the country
• Meditations to be lead by persons not engaged in party politics
• Thoughts, strategies and actions to be compassionate
• Once the meditation is completed go back to your day’s work or head back home without hanging back in groups.

Approach:

• Dress in clean cloths and sit in a comfortable posture with a straight back.
• Place your right hand on top of your left.
• Hold your neck straight while keeping the head slightly bowed.

First Instance:

• Consciously forget all thoughts of the past.
• Erase future ambitions and needs from your mind.
• Spend 2 minutes in silence with attention on your body.
• Reflect on the good virtues and compassion of the teachers and/or leaders of the faith you hold.

Second Instance:

During this moment bring your attention to the top of your head, hair, forehead, neck, eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips and think that your body is light in weight, healthy and well. Take and release three deep breaths.

Third Instance:

At this moment focus your still mind fully on to your body. Evoking waves of compassion in your heart, starting from yourself spread compassion as follows.
May I …
- be free of hatred
- be free of anger
- be free of jealousy
- be free of sadness and discomfort
- Live in peace and happiness.

Along with me, may all in my household/workplace …

- be free of hatred
- be free of anger
- be free of jealousy
- be free of sadness and discomfort
- Live in peace and happiness.

May all beings in my village, in my town, in my province, in my country and in this world

- be free of hatred
- be free of anger
- be free of jealousy
- be free of sadness and discomfort
- Live in peace and happiness.

Spread waves of compassion to all being in this universe.
Because of this thought and energy of compassion feel purified blood flowing through your body. Pay attention to the environment around you.
Reflect on your neighbors, friends and relatives living in peace and respecting others opinions.
Think that it be the same with people engaged in the election process.
Visualize a poverty free society.
Wish for a country with good governance, lead by leaders with long-term thinking, full of peace, happiness and prosperity.
Release a deep breath and conscious that you are ending the meditation, open your eyes.

Evoke merits on your parents and gods. With your wishes and determination held strong end the meditation.

Couple of simple spiritual reflections to practice daily on your own at your home/ work place or while traveling.

1. Bring your full attention on to your body.
Take in and release three deep breaths.
Visualize a peaceful polling station.
Visualize voters casting their votes and returning peacefully.

2. Place your hands touching your stomach.
Watch the stomach rise and fall with each breath.
Visualize your village, town and the country.
Visualize a community engaged in their activities in peace, happiness and freedom.

Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement recently initiated 5R Fund for the people of the Northern Province in Sri Lanka who have been affected by the recent displacement due to the war. This initiative will strengthen the Sarvodaya 5R process which comprises of Relief, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Reawakening of the affected people. The recent fighting has displaced almost 280,000 people in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and currently a rapid resettlement process is underway.

The 5R Fund for the Northern Province was initiated with generous contribution from Mr. M. Mariappan from Tamil Nadu Gandhi Smarak Nidhi. Mr. Mariappan along with Professor Narayana Samy from Gandhigram Rural University contributed 3,400 US Dollar to the Fund, which has been a collective contribution of friends from India who support the Sarvodaya Movement, especially from Tamil Nadu to show their solidarity to the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the occasion Mr. Mariappan mentioned India is impressed of how Sarvodaya in Sri Lanka adapt and develop the concept of Sarvodaya and Gandhian philosophy as institute, which most the Indian institutes failed to do over decades.  He further stated, this is a very small contribution from a large country, but he committed himself to spread the message to the Sarvodaya supporters in India, especially to the Gandhian followers.

Dr. AT Ariyaratne, Mr. Mariappan and Professor Narayana Samy

Handing over the money

Addressing the occasion Dr. A. T.  Ariyaratne, the founder, president of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement conveyed the gift is small but greatly appreciated.  India has been involved in the conflict of Sri Lanka from the beginning and this is a very valuable initiative to heal the wounds of the war.   Furthermore, Sarvodaya Sri Lanka will be in close relations with all Gandhian institutes in India in the future too.  He appreciated the valuable presence of Mr. Mariappan and Professor Narayana Samy who have been friends of Sarvodaya for decades.

Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, the General Secretary of Sarvodaya, also appreciated the contribution of the Friends of Sarvodaya in Madurai and other Gandhian Institute.  He valued the strong sprit in which this donation has come and also the commitment demonstrated voluntarily.

Initiating the Fund

Dr. AT Ariyaratne and Mr. Mariyappan

Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne will be visiting India in April 2010 to participate in gatherings including Gandhi International Meeting.  He will be visiting a number of Indian leaders in this trip to get their support to this important initiative. Mr. Walter Link, a social entrepreneurship expert from the United States, Mr. Saman Algoda, the Executive Director of Sarvodaya, Mr. Subasena De Silva, the Deputy Executive Director was also present at the occasion.

Sarvodaya friends in India can contact Mr. Mariappan and Professor Narayana Samy to contribute to this valuable effort. They can be contacted by the following mailing address:

Tamilnadu Gandi Smarak Nidhi,

Gandhi Memorial Premises

Tallakulam

Madurai-625020

They also can be contacted by telephone,

0091-452-2530900

Mr. E. L. A. Careem welcoming the guests

The delegation met with the child ex-combatants who are being trained in the Sarvodaya Vocational Training Center at Sathurukkondan. They also met and discussed with the parents of the trainees at the Vocational Training Center.

The gathering

Speaking to trainees

Speaking with children

Meeting the parents

Mr. E. L. A. Careem, the Senior Executive Assistant of Sarvodaya for the Eastern Province was also present at the occasion.

Mr. Philippe Duamelle planting a tree at the premises

Parliament of the World’s Religions

The plenary

Dr. Ariyaratne delivered speeches on ‘Poverty and Development’ and ‘Earth Charter as Global Ethics for a Sustainable Future’ along with several distinguished religious and lay speakers around the world. He also had the opportunity to present Sarvodaya to the participants in a seminar titled ‘Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement – Grassroots Development, Conflict Resolution and Education’.

Dr. Ariyaratne with participants

He also served as panelist in several other engagement sessions.

Dr. Ariyaratne with Michael Beckwith

To read the official website of the event please click here