'Sudu Amma' - the German philanthropist
Nirmala Samarasinghe
Amarapura Saddharma Yukthika (Matara) Maha Nikaya with the consent of
its Karaka Sangha Sabha conferred the honorary title 'Sri Lanka Samaja
Seva Shiromani' on Waltrand Katharina Klett, a German philanthropist
recently at a ceremony held at Purvarama Viharaya, Purvarama Place,
Colombo 12.
This ceremony was chaired by the Ven. Agga Maha Panditha Davuldena
Gananissara Maha Nayake thera of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya. Ven.
Rekawa Gunasiri Maha Nayake thera of Amarapura Sri Saddharma Yukthika (Matara)
Maha Nikaya, Ven. Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Anu-Nayake thera,
Kotte Chapter of Shiyamopali Maha Nikaya, Ven. Brahmanawatte Seevali
Anu-Nayake thera, Ven. Professor Ittademaliye Indasara Maha thera,
Mahopadyaya of Sri Lanka Buddhist and Pali University, Ven. Madoluwawe
Sobitha Nayake thera, Ven. Professor Kandegoda Wimaladharma thera, Ven.
Kotugoda Dhammavasa Anu-Nayake thera and Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama
Maha thera, Viharadhipathy, Purvarama Viharaya and Principal, Buddhist
and Pali College of Singapore were present among other members of the
Maha Sangha.
Waltrand Katharina Klett hands over a pair of spectacles to a
village lady along with Lakshman Pathiraja Samarasinghe,
ex-President, Old Anandians’ Kegalle District Association at
Dedigama Raja Maha Viharaya. Ven. Pategama Anuruddha thera is
also in the picture (partly covered) |
Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, Environment and Natural
Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Professor Daya Edirisinghe
of Kelaniya University and Colombo District Secretary, G. A. J.
Sylvester were also present. The Sannasa depicting the title was
presented to her by the two Ministers who were present.
Having come to Sri Lanka 17 years ago in 1992 with her husband,
Werner Ruppert Klett, a travel agent by profession to spend a vacation,
she was fascinated by the beauty of the country and exemplary qualities
of its people. She was lucky to meet Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Maha
thera at Purvarama Viharaya at Dias Place, Colombo 12 and many other
learned members of the Maha Sangha at various Viharayas in the country
and attracted towards the teachings of the Buddha. Then onwards it was
travelling between the two countries and her present visit to Sri Lanka
is the 35th. She inaugurated the Sri Lankan-German Fellowship in 2005.
Before each visit to Sri Lanka she plans earlier and collect items to
be distributed among the poor in Sri Lanka. She was brought thousands of
pairs of spectacles, crutches, wheel-chairs and hearing aids etc.
Having heard about the devastation occurred to Sri Lanka by tsunami,
she telephoned Ven. Pategama Anuruddha thera and inquired about it and
offered her assistance. She has written to newspapers in Germany and
informed her friends and their help was sought.
Money was flowing to her and she was sent approximately one million
rupees to Sri Lanka. Ven. Anuruddha thera with Dayakayas of the Viharaya
and with other Bhikkus visited tsunami hit areas up to Hambantota in
Southern Province and up to Panama and Arugam Bay in Eastern Province
distributing food, medicine, clothing and other necessary items for the
displaced families.
Even though she was keen to send more money, Ven. Anuruddha thera has
drawn her attention on the necessity of providing shelter and fostering
children whose parents were lost in the tsunami. She had discussions
with her friends in Germany and informed Ven. Anuruddha thera of her
willingness to inaugurate an orphanage for children.
On May 22, 2005 Isura Children's Home was inaugurated with seven
children at 304/2, Dickwela Road, Siyambalape by utilising an initial
sum of Rupees fifty lakhs sent by Mrs. Klett.
Another 60 lakhs of rupees were sent by her and a two storeyed
building was constructed within 7 months.
On August 11, 2007 she made her 29th visit to the island. On August
22 this building was opened admitting with another 13 children. I was
privileged to participate in the opening ceremony.
Ven. Pategama Anuruddha thera as Director of Isura Children's Home
oversees the management of this institution while G. K. Pathirana, as
Manager carried our day to day activities efficiently.
The inmates of the children's home seem to lead very happy lives.
On a request made by me on behalf of Old Anandians' Kegalle District
Association to Sri Lankan-German Fellowship, she along with Ven.
Pategama Anuruddha thera, its Director and G. K. Pathirana travelled to
my home-town Dedigama and distributed valuable pairs of spectacles to
the needy at Dedigama Raja Maha Viharaya. She has distributed thousands
of pairs of spectacles in Balapitiya, Kurunegala, Aukana, Delgoda, Kandy
and Matugama areas. She adopts a Sri Lankan child Sasitha from 1997 who
is schooling in Germany. She is 'Sudu-Amma' for the children of Isuru
Lama Niwasaya and Akka or Nangi for others. |