L
D C Piyasiri
Vice President
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Since
installing ‘SEWA’ at the John Pandazopolous
Public Hall Doveton on I April 1999by courtesy of the
City of Casey, ‘SEWA’ being a Multicultural
Association comprised of members belonging to the Sinhalese,
Tamil, Muslim, Malay, Burger of the Sri Lankan Community
together with the elders of the Australian Community,
annually conduct ceremonies of major events significant
to their religious, cultural and social values.
At
the Dawn of a New Year first Monday in January ‘SEWA’
on a consensual agreement invite the Buddhist priests
to the Center offer alms and seek the blessings of the
triple gem to the members of the Association for the ensuing
year while transferring merits to those members who have
passed away.
The
Annual Alms Giving to the Buddhist priests this year was
held on 7th January 2008. Priests from the Dhammadeepa
Buddhist Meditation Center Dandenong , Dhamma Sarana Temple
Keysborough and Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara Berwick participated.
Ven.
Akarawita Sangananda Thero of the Dhammadeepa Buddhist
Meditation Center Dandenong speaking of the event traced
the history of SEWA and its commitment to the religion
in Melbourne reminding of the great personalities such
as late Mr. L B Ekanayaka the first Patron of SEWA and
late Mr. P Mahawela the first President of ‘SEWA’
who have tremendously contributed to establish ‘SEWA’.,
not forgetting to mention the names of other faithful
members such as D D Udugama, Gamini Weerakkody, Simon
Suriyahenage, Ms. Rita Perera and Ms. Cathreen Ethvirajath.
In addition he said ‘SEWA’ has been very thoughtful
to transfer merits accrued from this noble deed to a mother
who passed away three months back bringing to this world
a son who is of tremendous importantance to the Victorian
Sri Lankan Elders in establishing ‘SEWA’ and
sustaining its stability and growth Tissa Amarasekera
the President of ‘SEWA’.
Ven.
Naotunne VijithaThero of Dhamma Sarana Keysborough administered
the gathas to offer the dhana to Maha Sanga.and reiterated
the sentiment offered by Ven. Akarawita Sangananda Thero.
Ven.
Digamadulle Wimalananda Thero of the Berwick temple performed
the concluding religious rights and spoke of the expected
commitment of devotes to the religion and confirmed all
what has been said by the previous Anusasnas.
All
dhana activities were arranged by ‘SEWA’ Food
Committee led by Beryl the coordinator. The beauty is
that they have given every member an opportunity to take
part in contributing to the dhana not forgetting the members
of Tissa’s family. Tissa together with Mr.and Mrs
Sagara and Manel Karunasagara and Mrs Mahawela contributed
to the Pirikara. .
The
event was very successful. I will be failing in my duty
if I do not acknowledge and thank all those who sincerely
and willingly contributed for this success. The work done
by the Food Committee led by Beryl to get every one involved
is commendable.
A
large gathering of ‘SEWA’ members their families
and friends and well wishers participated.
Thus
‘SEWA’ entered 2008 with a remarkable success
story.