“Sri Lankawata – Jayaweva” CG’s office in LA invaded by
“Jaya Ghosha” Celebrators “The mini band of colonial elements failed…” Sandeshaya to President
By a special correspondent (photos by: Anton Rowel)
Los Angeles- Sri Lankans living in and around the City of Los Angeles stormed the streets (corner of Wilshire and Vermont) at the vicinity of the Consular office in Los Angeles yelling"Peace at last",'Sri Lankawata Jayawewa".The event was held at 3.30PM, on Wednesday the 20th May, a day after the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakshe addressed the Parliament officially declaring the end of separatist terrorism in Sri Lanka.
"The Jaya-Ghosha"(Jubilation)was initiated by"Sri Lankan Patriots"(SLP) the Lankan community group of ex-patriates based in Los Angeles. Conducted under the theme "Sri Lanka defeats terrorism - Peace at last" the event, organized to celebrate Sri Lanka's grand success against a vicious terrorist force, paid tribute to the brave Sri Lankan armed forces and the political leadership while reflecting the expression of sheer joy by those who had been in the thick of the battle against the LTTE lobby in the USA for the past three decades. After a noisy procession around several blocks, the celebrators gathered in front of the Consular office of Sri Lanka at the busy corner of Wilshire Blvd and Vermont to ceremonially submit a "sandeshaya". to Consul General Ananda Wickremasinghe.
The organizing of"Jaya-Ghsha" was almost spontaneous. Those of us who yearned this victory for decades had to celebrate in open streets as was the case in streets of Colombo and distant townships in Sri Lanka' said Kanthi Edirisinghe'committee member of SLP.
On this sunny working day the Lankans had left their places of work early to take part in a memorable event. "We have been waiting for this day for thirty years, Taking a few hours off work was my patriotic duty and a pleasure," said Dilrukshi Samarasinghe, as she waved the Lion flag with pride.
At the head of the procession was a large banner depicting the theme of the event,"Sri Lanka defeats terrorism - Peace at last" On either side of the banner were enlarged photos of Sri Lankan president Rajapakshe. Behind it was a team of drummers led by Jagath Lakpriya ably assisted by Sudharshan Rohitha and Saman Boralage, beating Hewisi and the Daula, which was followed by K.D.Somasiri, in national dress, carrying a scroll containing a "Sandeshaya" to be delivered to President Rajapakshe. "K.D." who has participated in virtually every demonstration and procession in Los Angeles, was bursting with pride as he held the Sannasa high over his head.
Around 15 Buddhist monks followed the scroll and the rest carried Sri Lankan flags, enlarged photos of Defense secretary Gothabhaya Rajapakshe,the army chiefs and posters denouncing terrorism. The procession having done several rounds gathered at the entrance to the building housing the Consular office chanting more slogans and beating the hewisi, to proclaim the gathering’s elation over defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka. the Hon Consul General Mr. Ananda Wickremasinghe was invited by the SLP to accept the "Sandeshaya", on behalf of the GOSL.
The CG having accepted the scroll invited the group to the conference hall of the consulate, located on the 14th floor of the building.
SLP conducted the meeting having the Consul General as the chief guest. Special guests of the event were members of (COPAA), Council of Pakistan and American Affairs, with whom SLP had collaborations on their prior engagements.
"We Sri Lankans with diverse back grounds and different political party affiliations are gathered here today to celebrate defeat of terrorism" mentioned Sudhrshana Rohitha, co president of SLP making the welcome speech, before inviting Ven Napatawela Dhammananda, to conduct the meeting. Ven Dhammananda is the chief monk of the Dharmodaya Pirivena of Giranduru-Kotte in Mahiyangana, Sri Lanka, presently on a short visit to California.
The meeting commenced with the singing of the Sri Lankan national anthem. A "Pushpa-Upahara' (floral tribute) for the fallen soldiers was conducted thereafter. The gathering deposited a rose each at the photo of an unnamed soldier, which was placed on a specially constructed dais. Every one expressed honor and respect while ex soldiers present at the gathering saluted the fallen, the military way.
The visiting monk, Ven Dhammananda, drew parallels from the long history of Sri Lanka to present day's issues. Religious services were conducted by chanting pirith by the Maha sangha gathered. Ven Bogolle Sumana of Sri Rathana Buddhist center taking the lead of offering blessings commented upon the importance of a country sans terrorism. The Catholic prayers were conducted by Mrs Winifred Silva, a long time resident of USA who was involved in national and patriotic activities for decades. Blessings to Sri Lanka from the holy Quran was conducted by COPAA president Adnan Khan.
Shanthini Rowel, committee member of SLP read out the "Sandeshaya" which was ceremonially presented to the Conul General, for delivery to the president of Sri Lanka Hon Mahinda Rajapakeshe.
"We salute the present political leadership of HE The President Mahinda Rajapakshe, and the immense service rendered by Defense secretary Ghtabhaya Rajapakshe for the courageous manner in which they stood up to world leaders and organizations that attempted to undermine Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in the most brazen manner........, waves of unfriendly international diplomatic initiatives were consistently mounted by a mini band of colonial elements whose aim was clearly to divide Sri Lanka and create a separate fascist state based on racist lines alone......"
Ven Aparakke Punnyasiri, Chief incumbent of the Maithri Buddhist meditation Center in Sun valley, Los Angeles and co secretary of SLP, commented on the past activities of SLP "We have carried out numerous activities on behalf of our motherland, by way of protest campaigns, writings, agitations and helping war veterans, apart from social and cultural activities; yet at times I am amazed to note the low priority, that some of our community members give to such events. I laud the political leadership and the armed forces of Sri Lanka for uprooting the long term menace we were faced with and invite fellow Lankans to join us in helping our beloved motherland", said Ven Punnyasiri.
President of COPAA Adnan Khan congratulated the GOSL on liberating the country from terrorism. "Pakistan too is burdened with terrorism and hope we too would be able to overcome the problem like Sri Lanka has done" he added.
The Consul General Wickremasinghe while thanking SLP for organizing the event mentioned that voluntary organizations have an important role in making meaningful contributions to their land of birth. "Our President had a clear vision of eradicating terrorism and as we now move on to the second phase which is to develop the country devastated from terrorism we need contributions from our diaspora towards achieving such goals." he concluded.
Podinilame Dissanayake, co- president of SLP addressing the gathering mentioned that the victory over LTTE was not god given but achieved through blood , sweat and limitless sacrifices from our armed forces ably and adequately supported by the political leadership of President Rajapakshe and his defense secretary. One of our main objectives should be to build a strong mechanism of governance that would repel any future attempts of separatism. "This could be achieved only through a unitary constitution with maximum devolution of power. We the members of SLP are for the 13th amendment to the constitution only so far as it would not alter the unitary character of governance" he concluded.
The CG was invited to cut a cake specially made for the event with words congratulating the armed forces marked on it.
"We, the patriotic expatriate Sri Lankans have all the more reasons to rejoice and celebrate because we have won the battle and the war against terrorism, when the so called developed nations are failing theirs" mentioned Gamini Edirisinghe, secretary of SLP.
"We fully agree with President Rajapakshe's mention on his address to the Parliament of Sri Lanka the other day, that there are only two categories of Lankans; those who are patriotic and who are not!, said Narada Gangadhara, committee member of SLP.
The gathering dispersed for refreshments of kavum kiribath after singing the Sri Lankan national anthem.
