Three days after the December 2004 tsunami tragedy, while touring the affected areas, Dr. Hema Goonatilake was touched by a particular incident which later led to the establishment of a humanitarian organization - the Red Lotus.
"I was overwhelmed to by the way in which Buddhist priests responded to the tragedy- carrying bodies, clearing debris and helping the affected. It was also good to see how people from all religions and ethnicities - Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Muslims came together. When I visited a temple in Mathugama there were about 8000 refugees from all religions taking shelter.
The second time I visited Hambantota after a few weeks, I saw how Muslims were organizing a pinkama for the dead. In Maggona I saw how refugees were taking shelter at a Muslim mosque," Dr. Goonatilake, who was instrumental in establishing the Red Lotus organization explained. She is its Hony. Secretary now.
"This made me want to pay tribute to all the Buddhist monks who were working with the community in the tsunami affected areas and I decided it would be nice to get all of them under one roof to talk about their experiences," she said. In March 2005, a conference on Buddhist Humanitarian Services was held in Colombo with not only the monks but also lay people from 22 countries including Taiwan and Japan participating on invitation.
It was at this conference that participants decided to establish the Red Lotus. Its membership mainly comprises Buddhist organizations, environment societies, welfare organizations, youth societies, soldiers, monks, nuns, lay men and women.
The focal objective of the organization is to be of service to those affected by natural and human disasters. The organisation is working in all parts of the island - especially in disaster prone areas conducting programmes on understanding and minimising natural disasters. The Red Lotus also raises and mobilizes resources for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work and creates programmes for pre-disaster preparedness at national and local levels. "We bring relief by all available means to disaster victims without any discrimination in terms of ethnicity, religion or any other difference," Dr. Goonatilake said.
To develop and assist training programmes on improving disaster management skills such as first aid, life saving, trauma counselling, child care management is also another function of the Red Lotus. Training of Buddhist monks in disaster management, holding medical camps including in Vavuniya IDP camps, distribution of medical equipment, and assisting differently abled persons were among the other activities carried out so far.
In addition, the members of Red Lotus Volunteer Corps who have undergone a five day training course in disaster management offer their services in national disasters and public occasions such as peraheras and pilgrimages such as the Sripada pilgrimage. Volunteer Corps are formed from among Buddhist monks, teachers, members of the Forces and those closely connected with the people at large, such as members of village organizations, three-wheeler drivers.
The patrons of the organization are Chancellor of University of Kelaniya Ven. Dr. Welimitiyawe Kusaladhamma and Chancellor of University of Sri Jayawardenepura Ven. Prof Bellanwila Wimalaratana while Deshabandu Olcott Gunasekera functions as the Hony. President.
Red Lotus now hopes to extend its humanitarian services to the Eastern Province.
Symposium on disaster management
With the increase in natural disasters such as floods, landslides etc, there is a necessity to raise awareness among the public says Dr. Hema Goonatilake. Red Lotus has organised a Public Symposium on 'Challenges facing Disaster Management' on Tuesday, June 7 at 380/7 Sarana Road, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 from 2 -5 p.m.
Professor of Civil Engineering at the Moratuwa University Samantha Hettiarachchi will speak on 'Tsunami and Coastal Hazards' and Prof. of Geology, Peradeniya University Kapila Dahanayake will speak on 'Prevention and Control of Landslides'.
The symposium is open to the public free of charge.
YWCA is 60 years old
and continues to spread its dedication to service
The YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) is probably one of the oldest women’s organizations in Sri Lanka, for the Colombo YWCA was launched in 1882. For many years, it functioned as an affiliate of the parent organization in London.
In the first 36 years of its existence, branch associations were formed in Kandy, Galle, Panadura and Jaffna and a National Association which comprised India, Burma and Ceylon (as it then was known), was instituted.
In 1947, Ceylon gave notice of disaffiliation and so did India and Burma.. All three Associations were disaffiliated at the Quadrennial Conference held in London in 1951 and in September of that year, the National YWCA of Ceylon was formally recognized as a National Association at a World Council meeting in Beirut, Lebanon.
Its first President was Marjorie de Mel and she and three other stalwarts of their time, - Lady Evelyn de Soysa, Mrs. Gladys Loos and Miss Marguerite Piachaud – represented Ceylon at the World Council that year.
Although, as its name indicates, the YWCA is a Christian NGO, its membership includes women of other faiths. It has spread to all parts of the island and is thankful that it has been able to revive the once-thriving pre-war associations that existed in Jaffna, Mannar and Trincomalee.
In Batticaloa, the Y set up a Bakery and also the Centre for Hope and Healing at which counselling was available to hurting women who came in numbers and found relief and comfort through the services offered.
The aim of the National YWCA is to help build a society that is free of any divisions caused by race, creed, gender or class, and in which quality of life, human well-being and dignity and care of the environment will prevail.
The ever-widening scope of its programmes are directed towards this end. The current President is Manel Nanayakkara.
Many activities have been planned to celebrate the Y’s 60th anniversary this year –among them was a Finance Campaign launched on June 1, a bargain sale to be held on June 11 at the Christian Reformed Church grounds in Wellawatte, a “Sing-a- long” with Sam the Man in attendance on August 20 at the Jubilee Hall of the Colombo YWCA.
There will be a two-day Workshop on Peace, Justice and Equality –UNSCR 13-25. These events will culminate in a Thanksgiving Service to be held at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Polwatte, at 9.30 a.m. on October 27.
We all have to make Lanka a greener land
World Environment Day falls today
By Fareena Ruzaik
World Environment Day (WED) is one of the most widely celebrated global days for positive environmental action. On this day, the United Nations (UN) seeks to focus world attention on the environment and recognize positive environmental programmes and initiatives.
WED was declared officially by the UN in 1972 at the Stockholm Conference on “Human Environment.” Since then, the UN General Assembly has declared different themes to mark WED globally. This year’s theme is International Year of Forests, 'Forests: Nature at your Service'.
The current deforestation rate in the world is, million ha/year. It is 31% of total land area of the world. Rather shockingly, 36 million acres of natural forest are lost each year and in 2050, this would be equivalent to the total land area of India or more.According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), nature loses a species variety every hour.
The major causes for forest destruction are natural and human activities. Out of the total cleared forest land in the world, more than 75% has been a result of human activities. The forest, plays a major role in maintaining the ecological balance. The disturbance caused to the forest’s ecosystem has a great impact on the environmental, faunal and floral characteristics of the world, as many of the world’s most threatened and endangered animals live in these forests. The forest provides a home not only to animals, but it extends its habitat by providing security and livelihood for 60 million indigenous peoples, whilst contributing to the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people worldwide.
Further, as a result of the mounting global pollution levels; the forests cover is also being referred to as the ‘lungs of the earth’ since it takes in CO2 and releases oxygen into the atmosphere which is essential for human lives.
The forest cover in Sri Lanka began to decline from the time we became a British colony in 1796, and the destruction became more widespread with the subsequent capture of the upcountry kingdom in 1815. During the early stage of the 19th century (in 1835) both coffee and tea plantation were introduced to Ceylon, which required more land area for cultivation in the central province (particularly in the Nuwara Eliya District). After independence was gained in 1948, and with the expansion of the population, more land was required.
The total forest area in 1992 was estimated at 24% of the land and at present, due to agricultural, industrial, housing development activities and the recent war situation; the forest cover has declined to 14% (est.2010).
Sri Lanka, is predominantly an agricultural country. However since 1977 various governments in power have been attempting to shift their economic status towards becoming an Industrialized Country status, through the implementation of various economic policies and development activities. Rapid shifts towards achieving a status of Newly Industrialized Country would have a swift and drastic adjustment in its economic and infrastructure. It is presumed that this would result in further destruction of the existing forest cover. However, the constitution of Sri Lanka provides a provision (Article 27, Sec. 14) to protect, preserve and improve the environment for the benefit of the people and also the current government’s “election manifesto-2010 (Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma)” included a provision with regard to the “environmental protection”.
In addition a cohesive strategy that encourages sustainable use of forests should be implemented. Policy makers should identify areas inhabited by endangered species and promote forest restoration where they have been depleted. Private companies should be encouraged to invest wisely in a new ‘Green Economy’ while developing a socially responsible status with its consumers. They can implement a code of practice pertaining to green growth and environmental protection to ensure that all their business processes abide by this practice. Civil society too can play a significant role by independently monitoring all parties involved, raising awareness on forests and supporting grassroots initiatives. Most importantly, taking action on forests requires an ongoing commitment in changing lifestyle.Our new lifestyle demands that we are forest-conscious in all our activities and actions.
(The writer is a a Lecturer in the Dept. of Geography, University of Colombo.)
Commemorating Sambuddhatva Jayanthi in London
Buddhist Associations in the United Kingdom held a joint celebration to mark the 2600 Sambuddhatva Jayanthi at a well-attended meeting held at the Hammersmith Town Hall last Sunday (May 29). Over 1,200 delegates participated at the event presided over by the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain, Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Thera, chief monk of the London Buddhist Vihara at Chiswick.
Pictures show a section of the speakers and delegates at the event.
Landmark for Suicide Club
Soon after its launch, the Suicide Club by Herman Gunaratne became the fastest selling Sri Lankan authored book in the country. Published by Sri Serendipity Publishing House in Galle Fort, it is a collection of short stories and anecdotes, a sort of memoir of the life and times in the tea plantation industry of Sri Lanka.
Shortlisted for the 2010 Gratiaen Award the book will be released at the Frankfurt Book Fair at the end of the year. The second edition will be shortly available at all bookstores.
Healthy bag gets a lift
Strategies to streamline the healthy schoolbag campaign were discussed at length as well as the problems faced by manufacturers at a meeting at Wadduwa with the participation of Consultant Community Physician Dr. Kapila Jayaratne who pioneered the healthy schoolbag project and Panadura Municipal Councillor Shri Munasinghe.
At this meeting organized by Anura Gamage and Sheela Egodawaththa, an organization was formed under the chairmanship of Mr. Munasinghe to address issues with regard to bag manufacturing and their marketing.
Lester, Sumitra to be honoured
Sri Lanka’s greatest film maker Dr. Lester James Peries and his wife Sumitra Peries will be honoured when the Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation is launched at a ceremony to be held at the BMICH on Thursday June 9 at 5.30 p.m.
The launching of the foundation, which will be administered by a board of trustees, coincides with the diamond jubilee of Dr. Peries winning his first international award and the golden jubilee of Sumitra Peries’s entry into cinema.
The highlight of the event will be Lester James Peries oration by Prof. Wimal Dissanayake. The chief guest will be celebrated Indian film director Dr. Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
Dilly’s gets down to earth
Popular designer label Dilly's celebrates World Environment day with a demonstration on "Urban Agriculture" on June 11 at Dilly's Distinct - Bullers Road with Dr. Vindhya Basnayake of the Plant Virus Indexing Centre, Homagama.
Dr. Basnayake will explain how you can grow your favourite fruit, vegetable or flowering plant in your balcony or backyard, using recycled materials as a base.
Arangetram of Randika
The Bharatha Natyam arangetram of Randika Nagaratnam, a student of Suryakala Chandrika Jeevananthan will be held on Saturday, June 11 at 5 p.m. at the Ramakrishna Hall, Wellawatte. Past District Governor of Toastmasters International Balraj Arunasalam will be the chief guest and Principal of Hindu Ladies' College Mrs. P. Gajendra will be the guest of honour.
Talking climate
The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) Section F (Social Sciences) will hold a public lecture on 'Climate Change- Where we are heading and why we should care' on June 9 at 5 p.m at the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 'Vidya Mandiraya' 120/10, Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 7. The lecture will be delivered by Dr. Erandathie Lokupitiya, former Research Scientist, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, USA. It will be in English/Sinhala.
All are welcome.
Mag on environment
It was a simple but important event - the launch of the environmental magazine, 'Sadaharitha' by the Sri Lanka Nature Group at their office at Gangodawila, Nugegoda recently.
Dedicated to conservation, the magazine co-edited by Sajeewa Chamikara and Nandana Weerasinghe has many interesting articles including those of vital importance to Sri Lanka such as patents.
Time to tackle death by drowning
Training in swimming alone won’t do, teach the ‘kiss of life’ too, says Dr. Wijaya Godakumbura at the World Confab on Drowning Prevention in Vietnam
Drowning is a major global health hazard. It is referred to as the ‘silent killer’ because quite often the death occurs swiftly and silently. Over 90% of the deaths occur in developing countries where natural bodies of water like wells, rivers, lakes and the sea account for the majority of the deaths whereas in developed countries it is children drowning in swimming pools. Children and young adults are often the victims.
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| Dr. Godakumbura addressing the
conference |
The Second World Conference on Drowning Prevention was held in Danang, Vietnam in May. The Governor General and the Chief Justice of Australia were among the 400 delegates from 50 countries including representatives from WHO, UNICEF, Save the Children, etc who attended.
Consultant surgeon, Dr. Wijaya Godakumbura, well known for his pioneering Safe Bottle Lamp project to combat burn injuries made a presentation entitled ‘Drowning in a developing country in Asia: Its nature and the support that such countries need’. “Those of us in Sri Lanka who are trying to prevent drowning would be grateful for any assistance that could be given to us, he said in conclusion.
In Sri Lanka, children drowning in unprotected wells and pits is not uncommon. According to newspaper reports, four children had fallen into unprotected wells in February 2010 and three of them had died. As in road accidents, alcohol plays a significant role in drowning among youths in streams, lakes and the sea. Some die while trying to save a friend from drowning. People jump into the water on impulse without any knowledge of rescue techniques and one death then becomes two or three.
Over 35,000 people died in the tsunami of 2004 and 30 in the floods of last January and February. It is now universally accepted that ‘swimming training’ prevents many of the drowning deaths. Similarly people should have a basic knowledge of resuscitation techniques. This could be done through TV programmes – it could be very handy because the ‘Kiss of Life’ administered by bystanders prior to the arrival of trained staff has saved many lives.
The above is done in a large scale even in some countries in our region like Bangladesh and Vietnam. Swimming training is being done in Sri Lanka, but needs to be promoted along with demonstration of the ‘Kiss of Life’ on TV if we are to reduce the number of drowning deaths in Sri Lanka appreciably, which now stands around 1100 per year or three every day, Dr. Godakumbura said.
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