Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, the General Secretary of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka endorses the World Bank Group’s effort of “The Moral and Spiritual Imperative to End Extreme Poverty”

“For the last 57 years, Sarvodaya works hand-in-hand with millions of deprived Sri Lankan population to end extreme poverty with its unique philosophy to create ‘no-poverty, no-affluence society’, based on the Buddhist way of living ‘the middle-path’ while believing in spiritual, moral, cultural, social, economic and political development in order to achieve sustainable development, fair to all. We also have experienced the power of faith leaders in modeling the mass consciousness in uplifting the moral and spiritual imperative to end extreme poverty, even during the times of conflict. Despite all the industrial and technological advances, today, we are experiencing growing inequalities, injustice, and disparities around the World, in this critical juncture of the human civilization. People-centered multi-dimensional and multi-stakeholder dialogues and efforts to end extreme poverty could bring about positive change, strengthening the Global harmony. It is a long journey and noble effort, which we have already started, and be happy to join hands with the World Bank Group’s initiative of “Moral and Spiritual Imperative to End Extreme Poverty”, to realize a World without extreme poverty.”