Sunday Times 2
Mallika Nivasa Samithiya enters centenary year with plans for the future
Vice Chancellor Chandrika Wijeratne addressing the AGM
Beginning with a stanza led by a Buddhist monk and followed by a lovely song sung by children of the ‘Sneha Child Development Centre’, the 99th annual general meeting (AGM) of the Mallika Nivasa Samithiya was held on July 30 on a simple note, reflecting the core values of this longstanding Buddhist social service organisation.
Taking place at the Mallika Home set amidst a canopy of trees in the heart of Bambalapitiya, the AGM began after the garlanding of a portrait of the Samithiya’s founder Mallika Hewavitarne. With the reading of minutes and presentation of the budget and annual report, a new board was elected for the upcoming year.
Damayanti de Alwis Fernando was elected president for a second term while Chitra Manukulasuriya and Chandra De Silva were elected vice presidents. Sriyani Hewavasan was elected deputy president, Manel Samarasinghe secretary and Thyagi Gunawardena treasurer.
“I expect to take this Samithiya forward with my utmost strength and courage; respecting its rules and regulations and not breaching the trust you have placed on me,” President Damayanti de Alwis Fernando said addressing the gathering while expressing her thanks to the outgoing and incoming board.
She spoke of the proposed building for which the foundation stone is to be laid soon. The delay in starting construction work was due to the ongoing pandemic and shortage of funds, but the new committee is determined to push forward and make it a reality, she said.
Colombo University Vice Chancellor and chief guest Chandrika Wijeratne in her address touched on the challenges facing society in current times. “For 99 years, we have been continuing this organisation and not only have we faced the COVID-19 pandemic but even during situations more dangerous we have persevered together,” she said.
Noting that it was quite unfortunate that there was a shortage of youth due to low reproduction rates, Prof. Wijeratne said she was happy to see that those present at the meeting currently in their ‘silver age’ were living a full life.
She expressed her appreciation that elders and children who are taken care of at the Samithiya’s homes are living a happy and free life and that people who are ‘at the two ends of the life cycle’ are so well cared for. She thanks those who ensured this happened through their support and monetary contributions.
The Mallika Nivasa Samithiya celebrates its centenary this year — to be commemorated on October 8 and plans are being made for a grand celebration at the BMICH as the society completes 100 years of being a pivotal charity organisation helping elderly women and children alike. Under its umbrella are the Mallika Home for elderly women, the Parakrama Child Development Centre for children between the ages of 5-18 and Sneha Child Development Centre for children under the age of 5.
A request has been made to the Mayor of Colombo through the Prime Minister’s Office to rename the road housing the society’s headquarters and homes as Srimathi Mallika Hewavitarne Mawatha after the founder.
Mallika Nivasa Samithiya President Damayanti de Alwis Fernando and chief guest Prof. Chandrika Wijeratne garlanding the portrait of the Samithiya’s founder Mallika Hewavitarne. Pix by Indika Handuwala