Sarvodaya Trust Fund awards ceremony:

Ethnic harmony vital for growth

Sarvodaya will continue its efforts to empower village communities through its Deshodaya initiative, said its founder-president Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne.

He was speaking at the 16th annual national awards ceremony of Sarvodaya Trust Fund was held on November 8 at Sarvodaya Samadhi conference hall. Six most outstanding personalities of Sri Lankan society were felicitated at this year’s event, honouring their advancement of humanity, development and peace.

UN Resident Co-ordinator in Sri Lanka Neil Buhne was the chief guest at the event.

Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne has received many grants throughout his life long service to community development in Sri Lanka. A trust fund was established in 1984 to appreciate the work of individuals who also devoted their lives to the same principles of Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne and Sarvodaya which includes compassion, development and peace.

This year, the ceremony honoured Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala, Lions Mahendra Amarasuriya, Prof. Carlo Fonseka, Deshabandu Jezima Ismail, Asoka Devendra and N. W. E. Wijewantha.

Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne welcomed the distinguished guests and mentioned how rare it is to find people of this calibre like these awardees in today’s society. After three decades of brutal war, the awardees have demonstrated perseverance in the name of peace, co-existence and development.

Distinguishing the efforts of these individuals is important to recognize in the current context of establishing ethnic harmony among all communities.

The chief guest, during his speech recalled how he studied about Sarvodaya 25 years ago as the best example for fighting poverty while empowering people and communities. He said Sarvodaya had used the principles of peace, unity and brotherhood and applied it through communities.

“Like in all places, when a war is finished, doing this is not easy. There are wounds to be healed, there is trust to build.”

He said there is much work to be done after a war in order to establish normalcy in the lives of the affected people.

However, with partnership among the government, UN, INGOs, and NGOs such as Sarvodaya, who is a leader in uplifting people through village development, he is confident that it is possible to overcome obstacles to peace and development. Professor Carlo Fonseka is a scholar in medical science and a recognized public speaker. As a keynote speaker he referred to the UN Charter and said the war “is created in the minds of people and to finish the war you need to finish it off in the minds of the people”.

He said many people also praised the services of Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne. The vote of thanks on behalf of the awardees was from Jezima Ismail.

She was honoured in appreciation for her services in establishing women’s organizations. She said she had received many awards but the Sarvodaya award is greatly valued to her.

Western Province Governor S. Alavi Mowlana was also present.