Murali, Sanath and Aravinda in LA

Jayam RUTNAM

It takes an organizing committee Chairman like Mohan Chandramohan, the successful businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, to make a fundraiser, not only classy and enjoyable, but to raise large sums of money for a good cause.

Well-known champion spin bowler Murali is not only the Manager of the Foundation of Goodness in Sri Lanka, but he is a spokesman who has a passion for this organization which was started in Seenigama (near Hikkaduwa) in 1999 by Kushil Gunasekera who is the founder.

The 'Foundation of Goodness' is aptly named, and as Murali puts it, "Be Good, Do Good". Their trip to Los Angeles was organized by Mohan through his friendship with Ajith 'Ando' Dias. The fundraiser was sponsored by the Sri Lanka-America Association of Southern California and the Sri Lanka Foundation. There were also many others in the committee who helped make this event a success.

The 'Foundation of Goodness' is dedicated to taking care of the needs of the underprivileged, with health, well being, community development, sports development, housing and education as some of their aims. Murali as manager and spokesman, gives inspiration to others to do what they can to help brighten the lives of those who would otherwise be forgotten. The President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa generously allocated 50 acres in Mankulam for this project which will help those in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

Mohan and Geeta Chandramohan hosted a cocktail and dinner party at the historic and famous Jonathan Club last Friday. The Jonathan Club is an exclusive, first class Private Club in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Murali was the chief guest, with Arvinda and Sanath being guests of honour. It was an evening of enjoyment with excellent food and great music.

While this was an evening for old friends to socialize, Mohan and Geeta did not lose track of its purpose. The founder of the 'Foundation of Goodness' presented an overview of the organization and its vision and goals. Los Angeles physician Dr. Lareef Idroos, himself a cricket captain of yesteryear in Sri Lanka, publicly interviewed Murali and asked him some pointed questions referring to cricket as well as the Foundation. Murali was very candid and came off as being a person who is sincere about his involvement in the foundation. It was very impressive and heartwarming to know that a world famous sportsman can be so unaffected and so giving.

The next day was the gala fundraiser event in aid of the Foundation of Goodness. About five hundred people paid 150 dollars each to be with the famous cricketers and dine at the fabulous Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles. An enjoyable evening indeed with a full course dinner, dancing to two bands, raffles of trips to Sri Lanka, Auctions of unique jewellery donated by Munir and Habiba Akbar, door prizes, photo opportunities with the cricketers etc.

Once again, the emphasis was on the focus of the purpose of the event, which was to be a fundraiser. Although it is too early to know exactly how much was raised, it is obvious with the (sold out) turnout and monies collected from raffles, souvenirs, advertisements, auctions and photo opportunities, that the funds raised were substantial.

This is the largest fund raising event by any organization in the history of Southern California. Congratulations to Mohan, Geeta and the Committee.

This event also brought the Sri Lankan community in Southern California together, which shows that when we work as one, nothing is impossible. Quoting Martin Luther King Jr. in the event souvenir, Rohendra and Gihan Atapattu said it best "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?"