New organisation to serve man - ND World Vision

S. Duraiswami, Maskeliya group correspondent

MASKELIYA: The policy of the new organisation was to serve man. Do not do harm to others, work for the common good, and to create peace and harmony in the country, said Yu Hwa Li National Director of World Vision, Lanka who was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony addressing the Ambegamuwa People's Organisation at the PMD hall, Maskeliya on March 16 presided over by A. Gangadaran President of the new organisation.

Yu Hwa Li, said that World Vision began functioning in plantation areas in 1997 and during that time the World Vision's aims and policies were not taken into consideration. But its services to the people of Ambegamuwa area (division) where multi-communities, multi-languages and multi-cultures and problems prevailed.

But the World Vision took them as their challenges and it did wonderful service in all their walks of life. Thereby, the people themselves have formed their own organisation, including all the communities and their languages and religions.

He said the most underprivileged and the poorest people were benefited through the services of the World Vision. It was the World Vision that brought the people to a level of forming their own organisation without any link to either politics or trade unions. Impartial services will be rendered to everybody by the new organisation.

The National Director said that the World Vision has extended its services throughout the country. It was very keen on its Eight Regions where people had suffered a lot without basic needs and Ambegamuwa was one of these eight regions. At Wennappuwa the World Vision has to handle matters among Sinhalese only.

In Trincomalee, the World Vision has to face many problems, because the Tamils play a great role and the LTTE too is there.

At certain areas in Muthur and Trincomalee our services had to go through LTTE. But in Ambagamuwa region where Sinhalese, Tamils and few Muslims live together for many decades as brothers and sisters of one family, they faced many problems in their living standard. All their needs have to be identified by the World Vision and accordingly, we helped and assisted them.

Consultant of World Vision Lerins Peries, said, it was true that the most underprivileged people in the country were the estate workers. They, though slow in achieving progress, they were powerful people in the country. Because they were able to live peacefully on estates with brotherhood, sisterhood and in a friendly way with Sinhalese and Muslims.

The World Vision wherever it went, it serves the most handicapped people. The new organisation may start a 'Dharma Rajya' in Ambegamuwa region, where all communities are living unitedly, peacefully and happily."

Divisional Secretary for Nuwara-Eliya district R. M. M. B. Rathnayake, said that the services of World Vision must be commended in the Ambegamuwa area and its services must be extended to Walapane area too. The new organisation should serve the masses truthfully and lead them to a progressive life."

The welcome speech was made by K. Selvaraj, Secretary of the new organisation. Prarthana Children's Federation of Jambutenne Grama Niladhari Division performed an oriental 'Pantheru' dance and cultural dance was by Illamthaleer Children's Federation of Mausakele, Maskeliya.

Joseph Perera, Asian Development Project Manager, Wennappuwa also spoke.

The co-secretary of the newly formed Ambegamuwa United (Integrated) People's Organisation Mrs. Idrani Vijaya Bandara proposed a vote of thanks.

At the conclusion, Ambagamuwa United People's Organisation office was opened by the National Director and the nameboard unveiled by Joseph Perera, ADP Manager.