Online edition of Daily News

"This we all know: All things are connected like the blood that unites us. We did not weave the web of life. We are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves"

This was the theme of "Eco Fusion" - a fashion show with a difference organised by "Friends of Nature Club" of St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya to mark World Environment Day. The models were students of St. Peter's College and sister school Holy Family Convent. Unlike many a fashion show clothes modelled at Eco Fusion were made out of raw material and trimmed with fruits of nature - Madatiya seeds, coconut leaves, jute, shells, leather etc. The need to follow the 3R Concept - recycle, re-use, reduce for conservation of nature was highlighted by four children wearing paper-clothes and carrying natural flowers. They paraded down the catwalk to welcome the Chief Guest Environment and Natural Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie and the Guest of Honour Uruvarige Vanniyala Aththo and his team who graced the occasion.

Present at “Eco-Fusion” at St. Peter’s College Colombo were members of the Aadivaasi community led by their Chief Uruvarige Vanniyala Aththo seen with Environment and Natural Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Prefect of Discipline Rev. Father Siri Cooray, Rector Rev. Father Felician R.Perera and the College Eco Consultant Virgina Felthman.

The traditional brass oil lamp, was replaced with a lamp made out of clay which the honoured guests lit to commence the proceedings. The need to conserve nature for the well being of man was the message of Eco Fusion - the fusion of clothes' fashions down the ages from tribal to modern. The highlight of the programme was a traditional dance by several members of the Aadivaasi community present at the function. The traditional dance depicted a by-gone era where hunting and gathering was their livelihood despite which they were and still are regarded as a community interwoven with nature having true reverence and love for the land.

Contributions of Peterites' environment club to the Web of Life spans four years ably supported by Rector Father Felician Perera. In his message Environment and Natural Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie called each and everyone to be friends of the earth and not cause any harm which could arouse the wrath of nature. In a surprise move during the short recess Minister Fowzie personally went round the audience and distributed among guests eco-friendly cloth bags produced by the Upper Watershed Management Project of his Ministry.

At the function young Peterites took the Eco-oath in reverence of nature and in unison claimed: "We promise as Peterites.

Children dressed in paper costumes greet the audience. - (Pix by Prasanna de Mel)

That we do not become a burden to the soil we tread and instead begin to appreciate and nurture the wondrous beauty of nature, that has been bestowed upon us; that we would be able to look into the crystal clear waters, and marvel at the reflection of the blue skies without polluting it and cursing the mud and the slush; that we could gaze into the lush green that soothes our eyes, and be thankful for the pleasant feeling that embraces us, without creating an environment to look at with disgust and remorse, by the trees that are felled and the dust and barren earth it unfolds; that we may let the animal kingdom enjoy its rights and privileges without encroaching into their natural habitats, through our uncaring and domineering ways; that we could hand over to this nation to a new generation free from all atrocities and guilt, that generations to follow will continue to experience the joys of life in abundance".

St. Peter's College Rector Father Felician R. Perera the guiding hand behind "Friends of Nature Club" in his message stressed that "Caring for the environment is inextricably linked with our well being, therefore let us all revere the inheritance that Mother Nature has blessed us with and in a positive manner determine the legacy we leave to our future generations".