SEDEC organizes Deepavali celebration

A celebration of the festival of lights, Deepavali, was organised by the National Peace Programme of SEDEC, the Social and Economic Development Centre of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

A distinguished gathering including Ven. Madapegama Assaji Thera, Ven. Weligama Dhammissara Thera, Rev. Joshua Ratnam of the Anglican Church, National Director, SEDEC, Fr. Damian Fernando and Caritas Europeon Partners were also present. The highlights of the programme was a bajan dance recital by Year 2, students of St. Anthony’s Balika Maha Vidyalaya. The traditional Hindu pooja was conducted by Swamy Ravishankar and P.K.P. Shivashankar Kurukkal.

Speaking on the occasion the Ven. Madapegama Assaji Thera, said that the word light had many meanings. Light was a giver. It reflected its glow in the dark. Likewise we too should reflect our goodness to others. “We have to be a light in the dark,” the Ven. Thera told the gathering. “Light represents purification and purification of the mind was something the Lord Buddha always spoke of,” he said. Swamy Ravishankar Kurukkal addressing the gathering said that Deepavali marks the victory of good over evil. It symbolically represents goodwill and faith.

National Director SEDEC, Fr. Damian Fernando, addressing those present said Deepavali, also called the festival of lights was very symbolical for all religions. Christ too spoke of light. “You are the light……No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone.” He said that a good example of this, is the work of Mother Theresa who sacrificed her life for the poor and the meek. Through her work she even transformed the hard-hearted.