Arogya Foundation for the Disabled commemorated Children’s and Elders’ day on 5th October, 2013 at Damana, Madana in the District of Ampare, in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the District Secretariat of Ampare.
The Commemoration cerebration headed by the Chief Incumbent Rev. Kotagoda Gunananda Thero of the Aloka Raja Maha Vihara was built during the rule of king Saddhatissa in the village of Damana. This occasion was associated by Rev. Unapana Ariyadhamma Thero Director General and Rev. Yushi Shimada (Japan) Patron of the Arogya Foundation for the Disabled in Sri Lanka along with Mr. H.M.Jayantha Premalal District Social Service Officer - Colombo, Head Quarter Inspector and other officers of the Damana Police Station, Mr. Ajith Nishantha Member of the Local Government, Grama Seva Naladhari Mr. Udara Nilupul, Mr. A.S.R.Abeykoon President, Mr. A.M. Dharmapala Vice Presidnt, Mr. Nimal of the Samadhi Gramiya Elders Committee, Mr. S. Kumara Dissanayake, Deputy Post Master of Madana, Mr. P.A.Gunawardana Assistant Secretary, Committee Members Mr. Nihal Vithanachchi, Mr. Chathuranga Bandara Yapa and Mrs. Nayana Wickremasinghe represented the Arogya Foundation for the disabled and Dignitaries, Guests, Invitees, donors, Elders who observed SIL and School Children living in the village and participants.
Background
This is a village subjected to a war zone disrupting daily living of people who are seeking a re-habilitation process to become development partners of the society. The Children’s dream to acquire knowledge and literacy to ensure family protection and self development of their future becoming true. Most significantly the day was secluded to commemorate both by the children and elders bind ties together to relay combined life in a most religious and peaceful manner.
Theme
Children are the future developers. Elders are those who guide them.
Activities
Distribution of school books to children
School books for 106 students studying at schools in the Madana Village were presented by the Dignitaries and Invitees who graced this ceremony to mark the children’s day and encouraged them in furthering their studies. The books were donated by Mr. Nilantha Somasiri, an Executive of the Hatton National Bank Head Quarters in Colombo and Dr. (Mrs.) K.A.L.Dilani attached to the Teaching Hospital of the Colombo South, being the Committee member and Secretary of the Arogya Foundation for the Disabled, respectively. This meritorious social service act was graciously appreciated by the villagers of Damana, Madana of the Ampara District in Sri Lanka.
Distribution of White cloths to Elders
The Samadhi Gramiya Elders Committee of the Damana, Madana village in the District of Ampara commemorated the elders day by observing SIL (called Prathipaththi Puja – maintaining Principles of Dhamma) at a ceremonial occasion held on the 5th of October, 2013 where a uniform clothing was presented by the Invitees.
The contributors for donation of cloths and Sponsorship of Transport and Travel were:
Mr. Prasanna Goluwella - Foreign Journalist [ in Memory of late Mr. Sethuwa ( Grand Father), Mrs. Manchina (Grand Mother) Mr. K.M.Gunaratne (Cousin) ] , Mr. H.M.P.Herath Secretary of the Sri Jayawardanapura Supahan Foundation, Mrs. Kalyani Jayasinghe at Pathiragoda, Mr. Sabestian at Nugegoda, Mrs. Mallika Samarakkody, Mrs. Sirimanna at Pathiragoda, Mrs. Malkanthi Koswatte, Mrs. Gayani Samarasinghe, Mrs. Daya at Pathiragoda, Mr. Bandula Koswatte, Mr. B.G.Gunatilake, Mrs. Sonali Jayasinghe (Perera), Mr. Dulaksha Jayasinghe, Mrs. S.A.Sriya Kanthi, Mrs. Neelika Damayanthi, Attorney at Law Mr. Manoj, Mrs. Ramyawathie Dias at Piliyandala (In memory of late Dr. Vidiya Thilaka) Mr. Saminda Perera at Madiwela, Mrs. Kanchana Madusanjani at Madiwela, Mrs. K.G.N.Peris, Mr. Asoka Pushpakumara, Mr. Chamara Prasanna Mrs. Grace Fernando at Wijerama,