Joint effort launched for tsunami housing project
 

by W. T. J. S. Kaviratne - Ambalangoda special correspondent

The Chief Sanganayaka of America and President of Dharma Wijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles, Ven. Dr. Walpola Piyananda Thera launched a massive fund raising campaign with the participation of Hollywood Artists and the World Trust Foundation in USA, for the construction of permanent houses for the victims of tsunami catastrophe who lived along the coastal villages of Telwatta, Akurala, Godagama, Seenigama and Peraliya in the Divisional Secretariat area of Hikkaduwa.

Recently the ceremonial foundation laying was held at Galagodawatta amid a gathering of Hollywood Artists who acted as clowns who brought humour and colour to this International Ceremony which was held in a very remote hamlet of Hikkaduwa, Divisional Secretariat Area, in the Galle district.

Dr. Arthur C Clarke was also among the distinguished visitors present to grace the occasion.

Miss Camille Cellucci the Founder of Hollywood Artists Alliance and the Art Director of Titanic film addressing the gathering said that in order to raise funds for the affected people who lost their houses and dear ones in your families numerous programmes were held in USA on the guidance of Ven. Piyananda Thera Hollywood Artists Alliance was formed, she said.

Referring to the contributions received by diverse people living in USA she said even the prisoners contributed 15 dollars. The small school children in USA contributed their daily lunch money for this housing project she said. World Trust Foundation, Airlines Ambassadors also joined in raising funds she said.

In addition she said she was given so many letters written by school children conveying their deepest sympathies to be handed over to their counterparts in Sri Lanka affected by tsunami catastrophe. Referring to the clowns she said that their role was to bring happiness and love for the affected communities and in the same manner the spiritual leaders such as the Buddhist monks present here tried to convey the universal message of the importance of love and sympathy. Love is greater than suffering she said. Both the artists and the clergy convey a message on reality she said.

The foundation stones laid today for a housing project was a symbolic gesture of the fellow feeling towards the suffering section of the society and with the deepest feeling for humanity she said.

She said that on their way to reach this place while passing the coastal belt they could see the vast devastation caused by tsunami as well as the firm determination and the tsunami catastrophe had provided a fine opportunity for diverse communities present in Sri Lanka to make a united effort towards a lasting solution for its internal problems.

Miss. Tess Cacciatore, Founder of World Trust Foundation an International Organisation said that the aim of WTF which she represented was to bridge cultures and connect youth through media and technology.

Chief Sanganayaka of America and President of Dharma Wijaya Buddhist Vihara, Ven. Dr. Walpola Piyananda Thera said Buddhist monks of Sri Lanka should be praised for numerous relief activities done for the benefit of the tsunami affected people in the country since 26th December, 2004.

Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse guided him to construct houses in the Galle district for the displaced people of tsunami affected coastal villages of Telwatta, Akurala, in Galagodawatta. Vijith Gunawardena was assigned the supervision of the whole housing project.

The Minister of Skills Development Piyasena Gamage said that this proposed housing scheme for the displaced people was comprised of all the infrastructure facilities. One family would be given a land extent of 10 perches he said. The Chief Incumbent of Attanagalla Raja Maha Vihara Ven. Pannila Ananada Thera and Ven. Ambalangoda Rathnawansa Thera were also among the speakers.