'Era dawned for patriotic and sincere social service'

An era has dawned in which a patriotic and sincere social service is required by the country, the President's Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Kumarasiri Hettige said.

He said true social workers and true social service organizations render great strength to make the efforts made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to create a society in which all people could live happily regardless of race, religion or caste differences, a reality, he also mentioned that unity and solidarity among all must be developed to take the country forward after saving it from terrorism.

Hettige was participating as the Chief Guest at the 8th Charter Celebrations of the Lions' Club of Diyawanna Nadee held on February 09 at Sanasa Auditorium in Kotikawatta, Kolonnawa. He said the objective of Lions' Club was remarkable. These objectives influence a considerable extent towards building a virtuous society.

Encouraging those who wish to engage in social services irrespective of personal financial benefits was one of those objectives. "This concept was very important for today's society. The manner in which the internationally spread members of the Lions Club have extended their support towards social welfare. There is kindness in the hearts of members of such Clubs.

"The society is unequal. It is necessary to minimize the gap between the rich and the poor. That is why the government spends a large amount on welfare. There is a reason why a group of people have to endure such suffering. Some people live in misery some people call this "Karma". However, our pleasure should be derived from seeing all others living happily.

The Buddha too has preached on the importance of altruism. We must all practice that noble quality. There are over 3,000 non-government organizations. During the era in which terrorism prevailed, some of these organizations became a threat to the country's security. Today, organizations which are against the country have no place in our country. Security and peace has been established.

Our country which is moving forward with development alongside peace is viewed by certain imperialist countries with intentions of destroying our solidarity to attain their goals.

"All of us who feel for the country must be alert about this. Regardless of the ethnic group we belong to, we must all live as humans. Hearts of all races must untie in solidarity in the same way that the shattered country was united. The communication gap which has affected solidarity between races must be filled before devolution," he said.

Hettige also stated that there would not be any talk of a a need for devolution once the communities are able to understand each other.

Lion Dr. Preethi Kulathunga, Lion Prof. Laxman Vijeweera, Lion Ranji Hewage, Lion Kassapa Mahendra de Silva and Lion Kusum Sandanayaka also spoke.

The candidacy of Lion Ranji Hewage for the position of Second Vice District Governor of Lion District 306 C1, was announced by Lion Governor Balasingham Janaranjan of Lion District 306 C1 who was elected from the Eastern area.