Sri Lankans gathered at Wednesbury Town Hall in Birmingham on Sunday 14 June to celebrate peace in Sri Lanka. It was also a fundraising event to raise awareness of a project, which will provide artificial limbs to those who were injured as a result of the war in our Motherland. The event, organised by Dr N Fonseka and Mr Shantha Perera, involving the Sri Lankan Community in Birmingham, Sri Lankan Medical & Dental Association (SLMDA) in the UK and the Meththa Foundation was well attended. Chief guests included Deputy High Commissioner Mr Sumith Nakalanda, Ven Keppetiyagoda Gunawanasa thero, Mr Indika Rodrigo from the Sri Lanka Assist Foundation, Members from SLFP and SLAT UK, ex service men and women, and other dignitaries from in and around Birmingham and London.
The host, Chanaka Dissanayake, opened the event inviting Ven Keppetiyagoda Gunawanasa thero, Mr Sumith Nakalanda, Dr B Panagamuwa, Shantha Perera, SLFP and SLAT UK members, and ex service men and women to light the traditional oil lamp.
Dr B Panagamuwa gave an informative speech on the proposed artificial limb project and expounded on other current and proposed projects of the participating organisations. Speeches were also heard from Ven Keppetiyagoda Gunawanasa thero and Mr Sumith Nakalanda.
The event followed the dispatch of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka in a 20ft container on 9 June of dry food, hospital beds, wheelchairs, walking frames and sticks, and other equipment for those displaced by the conflict. Another 40ft container of similar items is due to make the same journey within next few weeks. These items were donated by Jethavana Vihara and devotees under the influence of Ven Keppetiyagoda Gunawanasa thero, Dr Panagamuwa, Mr Boraluwa and Mr Shantha Perera.
Dr Panagamuwa and Mr Shantha Perera will work with the Colombo Friend in need Society in Sri Lanka to provide artificial limbs to the first hundred or so recipients in Sri Lanka in July.
Community members joined in singing patriotic songs to celebrate peace. The audience enjoyed tasty authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and was entertained by colourful traditional dancing and singing performances with live music by Hiran from London.
All the proceedings from the occasion were donated to the worthy causes highlighted during the day.