16th Interfaith Meeting held at the Saddatissa Temple in Kingsbury

16th Interfaith Meeting held at the Sri Saddatissa Temple in Kingsbury - 30th December 2011

Pictures by Tissa Madawala

For the 16th consecutive year The Interfaith Call for World Peace meeting was held at the Sri Saddatissa International Buddhist Centre in Kingsbury on the 30th of December 2011.

The invited guests included Councilor M. Aslam Choudry, the Worshipful Mayor of London Borough of Brent, Mrs. Mei Sim Lai OBE DL, Representative Deputy Lieutenant, London Borough of Brent , Mr. P. M. Amza, Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK, Councilor Ruth Moher, Brent Council, Councilor Kana Naheerathan, Brent Council, Councilor Mano Dharmarajah, Harrow Council, Mr. Sarath Gauthamadasa, Former Officer at the Sri Lanka High Commission, UK, Mr. Nalin Perera, Sri Lanka Tourist Board and Mrs. Mary Hale representing the Harrow Interfaith.

As the meeting was held in a Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple observing of Five Precepts was conducted before the commencing of the day’s proceedings by Ven. Ven. Dr. Handupelpola Mahinda Nayaka Thera. The Interfaith Meeting was inaugurated by the customary lighting of a lamp by the Guests.

Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi MBE, Nayaka Thera welcomed the large gathering. Councilor Aslam Choudry, Mayor of Brent and Mr. P. M. Amza, Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK also addressed the gathering as guest speakers.

Interfaith Speakers included Sister Ann Stirzaker, Brahma Kumaris, Dr. Senevi Aturupana, Buddhist Representative, Sister Elizabeth O'Donohoe, Westminster Interfaith, Rev. David Williamson, Parish Priest, Kingsbury Catholic Parish, Church of St. Sebastian and St. Pancras, Miss Seeta Lakhani, Hindu Academy, Ms. Ann Taylor, Harrow Quaker Meeting, the Religious Society of Friends, Imam Adil Farooqi, Sri Lanka Muslim Cultural Centre ,Mr. Rofiqul Islam, Muslim Council of Britain, Mr. Jack Lynes, The Board of Deputies of British Jews and Mrs. Phiroza Gan-Kotwal, Zoroastrian Representative, Harrow Interfaith.

A message sent by Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo of St. Mary Magdalen's Catholic Church, Willesden Green was read by his representative as he was away.Ven. Nepal Sumana Thera conducted the meeting and delivered the Vote of Thanks.At the end of the meeting refreshments were served to every one attended.