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A JOURNEY TO PROGRESS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Caritas – Colombo ‘Seth Sarana’ is the centre in the Archdiocese covering in extent the whole of the Western Province of Sri Lanka established for rendering of the social services based on Justice, Peace and Human Development. Seth Sarana was inaugurated on 15^th August 1986 by Rev Dr Malcolm Ranjith one of the then priests  entrusted with human development projects in the Archdiocese and who currently is an Archbishop the Secretary to the “Pontifical Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments” in Vatican. 

‘Journey to Progress and Sustainability’ was the theme of the function which was held on 27^th September 2008 at St Joseph’s College auditorium with the participation of children belonging to families of small group members of the National Animation Programme in the Archdiocese of Colombo. It can be reckoned as a  blessing in the Seth Sarana journey towards progress where justice, peace and human development featured prominently. 

There was an exhibition of the items made by tsunami victims and group members who were trained for self employment projects under the National Animation Programmes. There was also an exhibition of paintings on the theme of Peace by youth of inter religious groups. The main event was the competition held for children to display their  talents and capabilities in singing and dancing. 

Local handicrafts, garments and food items were on display at the trade exhibition brought in from Gampaha, Moratuwa, Negombo and Kalutara NAP groups. 

In order to improve their  capabilities, students were afforded the opportunity for writing, painting, compositions, poems art works, posters, etc which had been tested on various age levels and the winning items of art and posters were put on display in the exhibition. 

The Trade and Peace Exhibition was declared open by the Director – Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC, Rev Fr Damian Fernando as Guest of Honour. The Chief Guest on the occasion  of the Singing and Dancing Competitions was Miss Dulanjali Ariyatilake (Doni) of the Kalutara Marc Sri Home.

Among the invitees on this occasion were Rev Dr Joe Fernando, Founder Director of SEDEC, Auxiliary Bishop the Rt Rev Dr Marius Peiris, Very Rev Fr Marcus Ferdinandez, Episcopal Vicar – Colombo East, Very Rev Fr Cyril Gamini Fernando, Episcopal Vicar – Colombo North, Rev Fr Sriyananda Fernando, Director, National Catholic Social Communication Centre and many Parish Priests, Fathers in charge of Diocesan Institutes & Apostolic Organizations and a number of friends and benefactors of Seth Sarana and staff of Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC. 

The judges at the Dancing competition were Ms Rejini Selvanayagam, Miss Nilanthi Dias and Miss Nehara Peiris and those at the Singing competition were Mr Ivor Denis, Mr Gratian Ananda and Mr Rodney Warnakula. 

There were more than 2000 members of the National Animation Programme and about 200 who came in as  support persons of the competitors and another 500 as guests who participated in this function. 

In the singing competition the Beruwala singing group won the first place, Payagala group the second place and Moratuwa group the third place. In the dancing competition Diyalagoda dancing group came first, Payagala group the second and Modera St John’s group won the third place. 

Although many tend to believe that the poor are people who have no financial strength or means, it was amply proved at this function that the tsunami victims – the so-called poor, were tremendously rich in their thoughts, minds, knowledge, perception and capabilities. The genuine endeavour made by Seth Sarana to highlight this concept was commendable and worthy of emulation

    - PUBLISHED AND DESIGNED BY SHALINDRA PERERA -  IT OFFICER CARITAS - SETH SARANA