Sunday Times 2
Salvation Army global head to visit Sri Lanka
View(s):The global head of The Salvation Army, General André Cox, will be visiting Sri Lanka from April 18 to 23. General Cox will be accompanied by Commissioner Silvia Cox who leads The Salvation Army’s worldwide work with women.
The Salvation Army’s work in Sri Lanka includes residential, community, project and crisis services, helping secure a better future for many Sri Lankans. Worldwide, it now operates in 128 countries, meeting human needs and working to alleviate human suffering without discrimination.
Commissioner Silvia Cox and General André Cox
While in Sri Lanka they will meet with Government representatives, heads of churches and ecumenical organisations, British High Commissioner James Dauris, members of The Salvation Army Sri Lanka’s newly established National Advisory Board, and other dignitaries.
Discussions will be held about The Salvation Army’s mission in Sri Lanka and how it can expand its work in partnership with other organisations and individuals. The couple will also visit Salvation Army Residential Services across Greater Colombo.
General Cox and Commissioner Cox will be guest speakers at various events during their stay. On Saturday, April 22 at 9 a.m. a public meeting will be held in the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour to welcome them and to celebrate Sri Lankan life and culture, expressed through dance, music, song and faith. Salvation Army members and members of the public from across the island will gather at this meeting. General Cox will also enrol more than 50 new members of The Salvation Army and speak on what it will take to bring transformation and hope to those who need it most. Special women’s and youth events will follow at 1.30 p.m.
General Cox and Commissioner Cox have given service and leadership as Salvation Army officers across many different nations of the world—Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Finland, Estonia and the United Kingdom in Europe; and Zimbabwe, South Africa and other Southern Africa countries.
“The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka has invested heavily in the welfare of Sri Lanka since it began here in 1883,” says Territorial Commander Commissioner Alistair Venter, the organisation’s national leader.
“It’s not often that the global leader of our movement visits and we believe it will be an inspiration, not only to us, but to the whole country.”