 |
|
| |
 |
| |
| [ Fr. Sunil De Silva - 23.06.2009 ] |
| |
" It is heartwarming to say that we have accomplished a great Task in the last four and half years and we are grateful to all who have contributed, accompanied, cooperated, challenged and directed. But the journey of sustaining the empowerment of the people will continue." said Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando at the Tsunami closing ceremony held on 23rd June 2009 at the BMICH.
On December 26, 2004, the world’s most deadly earthquake in more than 40 years struck deep under the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Sumatra, triggering a massive tsunami. One of the things that made this event particularly destructive is that the tsunamis struck relatively well-populated areas in the middle of the tourist-packed holiday season.
|
Tsunami hit Sri Lanka on a public holiday – a Sunday after the Christmas day, which also happened to be a Full Moon day (a day of religious observance for the majority Buddhist community).
The immediate impact of the tsunami was unprecedented. The death toll kept rising, the majority of victims were women and children. Thousands of people were displaced, tens of thousands of houses were completely damaged or destroyed (or washed away, children lost their schools, principals and teachers, several hospitals, Churches & Temples, church properties, orphanages & Homes for Elders, telecommunication networks, coastal railway network, etc., were completely destroyed.
Caritas Sri Lana - SEDEC initiated and took the challenge to the rebuild the nation together with Caritas partners in the international community and together with many other donors. Today Caritas Sri Lanka is content and gladden since its " mission accomplished....but its journey continues......"
Mons. Baudoin Muankembe, the Counsellor and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Apostolic Nunciature in Sri Lanka was welcomed as the Chief Guest by Very Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando, Director of Caritas and His Grace the Archbishop Oswald Gomis, Bishop Vianney Fernando-the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera-the Chairman of Peace and Justice Commision of CBCSL, Bishop Kingsley Swampillai-Bishop of Trinco-Batticoloa, Bishop Marius Peiris-the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, Bishop Joseph Ponniah-theAuxiliary Bishop of Trinco Batticoloa, government representatives, Diplomatic co, representatives of the Caritas International partners, diocesan Caritas Coordinators, several Priests, rel;igious, and representatives from North to South were present at the occasion.
|
| |
 |
Tsunami was the most devastating natural calamity in the history of Sri Lanka and some of us could still relive the trauma that we had gone through. Since then all of us have had some stake in rebuilding the lives of the people affected by Tsunami. It is four and half years and the people have started regaining their quality of life and marching towards independency.
Caritas Sri Lanka as the Social Arm of the Catholic Church has gained a relationship with beneficiary communities, the International partners, other religious leaders, the Government officials and the public. We have learnt to be more professional and infused a critical thinking in our network.
In spite of the continued challenges we could always rise up and move forward ..... |
Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando |
|
 |
This is a historic moment for Caritas Sri Lanka. It is with humility I record here that Caritas family has made a significant contribution to heal and rebuild the lives of the people in the aftermath of the tsunami that struck in Sri Lanka on 26th December 2004.
When hundreds of thousands of people rendered homeless, wounded and above all left without a future, Caritas Sri Lanka was able to take up this challenge in solidarity with the sister Caritas organizations, who contributed with a magnanimous heart, not only financially, but also by shouldering responsibilities and above all by sharing their know-how and experiences. The tsunami response incarnated in an unconditional commitment to help the most suffering and we succeeded in our mission............. |
Bishop Harold Anthony Perera |
|
 |
We are ever so grateful Caritas Sri Lanka that the trauma of the Tsunami which left hidden wounds in the minds of our brothers and sisters were well cared for ; and their tears of having lost the lives of their near and dear ones and all their possessions have been wiped away ; well balanced untiring efforts, well organized and well done by Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC !
The Holy See is proud of you, the Holy See congratulates you,
the Holy See encourages you,
and more, the Holy See promises you to sustain you so that the accomplished Mission has to see its journey to continue.............. |
Msgr. Baudouin Muankembe |
|
 |
" the experience of Caritas in the relief and rehabilitation work done after the devastating Tsunami in Sri Lanka, highlights magnanimity of the generosity of the international community and our own people providing all assistance to rebuild the lives of the people. This is why we are also involved in issues of justice and peace. Our main response to God's call is to be at the service of our neighbor. This is at the heart of the gospel message. Jesus said over and over again that we should love God and love our neighbor. Therefore, the Church looks after the needy, the poor and the marginalized, the widow and the orphan." |
Bishop Vianney Fernando |
|
 |
" Caritas took up the historical challenge of giving hope and life to the helpless victims of tsunami. Caritas was there with open arms, arms of consolation, arms of hope and above all open arms of unconditional love, a love that heals.
It was also a major challenge for caritas to muster not only the means, but also agglomerate a diversity of experience, diversity of knowledge and above all a diversity of means to bring hope to the people. This was possible through the caritas network partners who were already present and ready to serve............... |
Mr. Aloysius John |
|
|
 |
Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando welcoming Msgr. Baudouin Muankembe |
 |
His Grace the Archbishop Oswald Gomis welcomed by Bishop Harold Anthony Perera |
 |
from left - Bishop Kingsley Swampillai, Bishop Vianney Fernando, Archbishop Oswald Gomis, Bishop Harold Anthony and Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
A moment of silence and prayer for the Tsunami victims......... |
 |
A child in tears to see his parents, everyone and the house gone with the Tsunami............. |
 |
| |
 |
Tragedy of Tsunami, perhaps last photo picked up just before Tsunami.....a candle lit for hope and consolation..... |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Prayer by Rev. Sr. Kathlene |
 |
Buddhist Prayer by Most Ven. Brahmanawatte Seewalee Nayaka Thero |
 |
Hindu Prayers by Brahma Sri S. Govindaraja Sarma Kurukkal |
 |
Islam Prayers by Ash-Shaik M.H.M Irshad Mavulavi |
 |
Lighting of the oil lamps to commence the ceremony.......... |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Very Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando, Director of Caritas Sri Lanka addressing the gathering....... |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Speeches translated into Tamil........ |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Bishop Harold Anthony Perera-the Chairman of Peace and Justice Commision of CBCSL addressing the gathering |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Presence of His Excellency Pio Mariani, the Ambassador of Italy in Sri Lanka |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
Bishop Vianney Fernando-the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference addressing the gathering.....
|
 |
Venerable Kegalle Pangnarama Thero, the President of Inter-religious Peace Commitment Foundation, Galle |
 |
Mr. Vijeya Corea compering the programme...... |
 |
| |
 |
“ REFLECTIONS OF HOPE “ -The Church’s Response to the Tsunami
A brief introduction to the book will be given by Ms. Manel Aberatne, the author |
 |
A copy of “ REFLECTIONS OF HOPE handed over to Msgr. Baudouin by Bishop Harold Anthony |
 |
| |
 |
Very Rev. Fr. Nihal Perera and Ven. Kegalle Pangnarama Thero
|
 |
Most Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Nayake Thero and Most Ven. |
 |
Cultural item – “Dance on Tsunami and the joy of rising to a new life ” by Students of Center for Performing Arts |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Sharing Experiences of Beneficiaries -
Batticaloa :Housing: Mrs. Kantha Swami Kurukkal Bavani devi. |
 |
Sharing Experiences of Beneficiaries -
Jaffna : Livelihood: Ms. Jenusha Kandasami |
 |
Sharing Experiences of Beneficiaries - Colombo : Scholarship- Ms. Sevwandi Lakshika |
 |
Sharing Experiences of Beneficiaries -
Trincomalee: Psychosocial- Ms. T. Yogeswari |
 |
Mr. Henry Jacoline ,the President of International Commission of Caritas France addressing the gathering |
 |
| |
 |
Mr. Aloysius John Head of Asia Department of Caritas France addressing the gathering... |
 |
Hon. Lionel Permasiri, Deputy Minister of Social Service and Social Welfare addressing the gathering |
 |
Cultural Item – “Dance of Joy” by Students of Center for Performing Arts |
 |
Representative of the Holy See
Very Reverend Monsignor Muanembe, Charge D’ affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Sri Lanka addressing the gathering |
 |
Vote of thanks – Mr. Newman Fernando, Senior Executive Manager, Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
[ Photos by Fr. Sunil De Silva ] |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
