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by Tharika Goonathilake

Hundred and eighty nine years of service to better mankind's lot and to bring hope and courage to millions of souls through the Holy Scriptures will take a new path this week when the Ceylon Bible Society inducts its 11th, and first ever Woman's General Secretary today. (January 12).

Taking the helm of this historic institution and to guide it into a new era and through it 'serve the spiritual needs of the people', is a very special lady - Mrs Lakshani P. Fernando.

Mrs Fernando, who herself has played many a role in life with success - as a lawyer, wife, mother, educationist, counsellor and a preacher, says that she is actually humbled by this ``God given opportunity.'' Especially "in the context in which we are called to serve those who have suffered loss and tragedy and are displaced and marginalised, in life," she said.

The Ceylon Bible Society founded in 1812 is an auxiliary organisation of the British and Foreign Bible Societies established in 1804 and aims at printing, translating and distributing the Holy Scriptures, to every corner of the world. However, this is the first time a woman will be holding this high office since its inception over 100 years ago.

Mrs. Fernando succeeds Mr. Elmo Wijesinghe, another energetic personality who has done much in his capacity as the former General Secretary.

Says Mrs Fernando about the new appointment she is about to undertake: "When I was first encouraged to apply for the post I was actually amazed but extremely heartened by the fact that my family, friends and colleagues had so much confidence in me."

"I firmly believe that we need to create new avenues of reaching out to people in the most appropriate and meaningful way with the scriptures, especially in the wake of all the despair and tragedy we see in our society," Mrs. Fernando said.

Educated at Girls High School Kandy and Ladies College, Colombo, Mrs Fernando holds an LLB from Colombo University and a postgraduate Degree in Pastoral Counselling from the University of Birmingham, England.

She was also an active and popular teacher, responsible for moulding the lives of many students both educationally and spiritually, at Methodist College, Colombo 3, first as a teacher, College Chaplain and later as Vice Principal in 1996.

Mrs. Fernando also served as the Vice President of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka from 1997-1998, the highest position that could be held by a lay person - and has travelled extensively, interacting with all Methodist churches including those in the North and East during her tenure.

A few days before her induction she spoke to the 'Daily News' sharing with us her vision for the Bible Society and the hopes and aspirations she has "to continue the good work of her predecessors and achieve new goals."

Among her key aspirations are to unite and work together with all denominations of both the Protestant Christians and the Roman Catholic church, establish counselling and Bible sessions for those in conflict areas, distribute more Bible translations, especially the New Testament, introduce a devotional Bible especially for women - given the many problems women encounter in their roles as breadwinners, mothers, wives, widows and destitutes, and document the evolution of the Sinhala Bible printed in 1817.

She says that studying the evolution and translations of the Sinhala Bible will help understand and even reflect concurrently on the evolution of the Sinhala language.

Mrs Fernando says that it is also important to appreciate the religious freedom we enjoy in Sri Lanka. Was she always into religious activities and church work ? Yes, she says remembering the illness which plagued her life in her early adolescence and her steadfast faith that not only helped her to see things through, but helped her to recover and realise her dreams.

She remembers with gratitude her old teachers at Girls' High School Kandy, her father Prof. Lakshman Perera and mother Chitra Perera for helping her and encouraging her during trying times.

A devoted mother and wife, Mrs Fernando is married to Hilary Fernando, an accountant. They have a 17-year-old son, Hirosh.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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