Sunday Times 2
Inter-religious service for national unity
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In a major move towards religious unity, the Catholic church on Nov 23 held a memorial service of thanksgiving for the prophetic life and work of the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Hamuduruwo who played a powerful role in the silent people’s revolution of January 8.
The Service was held at the Kotte St Thomas’ Church which is situated almost in front of Kotte Naga Viharaya where Sobitha Hamuduruwo was the chief prelate.
One of the main speakers at the service was Ven Aluthnuwara Anuruddha Nayaka Thera of the Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya who while paying tribute to the historic mission of Ven Sobitha Thera also thanked the Catholic church for its work towards inter-religious dialogue and cooperation. When the Rajamaha Vihara prelate was called upon to speak, Kotte’s Assistant Parish Priest wanted to take the microphone to the place where the prelate was seated. But the prelate said he would walk up to the podium in the sanctuary and speak from there. The main message was given by Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando who was closely associated with Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera in the social justice mission of the National Movement for Just Society. The service was organised by the Kotte deanery headed by Fr. Sanjeewa Mendis.