The 14th February 2014 will be remembered by many as another Valentines day, or the arrival of a new moon for the Sinhalese Poya day in Sri Lanka. But for SEDA this special day was chosen for the official Inauguration celebrations of our new charity (in fact we celebrated for 2 days!), as well as being the 75th birthday of our founder Mr Gamini Keerthichandra. The day started early as preparations got under way for receiving over 200 guests to the opening ceremony at the VTC headquarters. What seemed like endless supplies of Butter cake and Kiribath (milk rice) were brought in, and the obligatory Nescafe machine was put into place ready to serve sweet milky coffee and tea to the hundreds!
Official proceedings began with the arrival of the Buddhist monks, including chief advisor venerable priest Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero who is a life long friend to Mr Gamini Keerthichandra. He lead a traditional Pirith ceremony or chanting and blessing, and was followed by opening speeches from our chairman, vice chairman's, our principal of the VTC and (unexpectedly and reluctantly!) our International Public Relations Officer (me!).
Newspaper reports and photographers all piled in to capture the special moments, and after a short video presentation the SEDA website was officially published by one of our VIP guest representatives from the UN. As well as the unveiling of our website we also unveiled the new uniforms for the trainees, bright orange T-shirts bearing our logo in bold colours, they were modeled proudly by all the members and of course our chairman Mr Gamini. Finally all 23 trainees of SEDA VTC took front and centre and led us all in proudly singing the Sri Lankan national anthem, a proud and emotional moment for everyone involved.
To much applause it was official, SEDA was now in action and ready to build dreams and futures for these very special young people, and for many many more that come through our doors in the future. In true SL style the celebrations were finished with LOTS OF CAKE & TEA, a special birthday cake for our chairman's 75th birthday and red roses presented by each trainee of SEDA.
To much applause it was official, SEDA was now in action and ready to build dreams and futures for these very special young people, and for many many more that come through our doors in the future. In true SL style the celebrations were finished with LOTS OF CAKE & TEA, a special birthday cake for our chairman's 75th birthday and red roses presented by each trainee of SEDA.
The following day the VTC was transformed again for a very special Buddhist overnight chanting ceremony that bestows the highest blessings of good fortune for the new project. At 9pm the ceremony started with a procession led by SEDA trainees, traditional Sri Lankan drummers, Buddhist monks, family and supporters of SEDA all baring national flags and torches, and fire crackers interspersed between the chanting all led to the ceremonial atmosphere. Arriving at the VTC the monks took their place to start the chanting led by the drummers in spectacular traditional national costumes. It was inspiring to watch all the young trainees join in and enjoy so enthusiastically the celebrations and chanting of this special event for our charity. The monks took it in turns to chant throughout the night, and many people stayed throughout the night too, staying awake with cups of sweet tea and cakes that volunteers and helpers provided throughout the night. As dawn broke the chanting came to and end and venerable priest Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero joined us again for the final pirith and array of delicious traditional Sri Lankan food that was prepared over night.
It was a wonderful way to open the charity and bless it in this traditional Sinhalese Buddhist way. I am sure the positive energies created with the chanting and blessings will give everyone confidence as we prepare to start a special journey with these young people.
It was a wonderful way to open the charity and bless it in this traditional Sinhalese Buddhist way. I am sure the positive energies created with the chanting and blessings will give everyone confidence as we prepare to start a special journey with these young people.
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