44th Year of Dharmavijaya Foundation

The Dharmavijaya Samajaya – Dharmavijaya Foundation (DFV) – was founded in 1978 by the Most Ven Aggamahapanditha Madihe Pannasinha Maha Nayake Thera with the assistance of many distinguished lay persons, prominent among them – Deshabandu Olcott Gunasekera, CCS. The DVF was based on the application of Buddhist principles to development in accordance with the Five Precepts. Also upheld was the truth that to build a nation, each individual had to improve himself/herself. The DVF has continued its services successfully, guided by eminent men and women who constitute its Board of Trustees.

Thus the various services in the name of development undertaken by the DVF were extended to people in the sectors of health, nutrition, education and strong resistance to alcohol and drugs. Education of university students, more particularly medical students, was emphasised and generous funds spent in this sector.

Also commendable is the fact that the DVF rises to meet needs created by emergencies as they appear. For instance, when the civil war was on-going and villages in the north and north east were threatened by rampaging LTTErs, persons from these villages were brought to Colombo, housed at the DVF headquarters down Sarana Road, Colombo 7, and trained mostly in first aid. This because when an attack was made, it would take more than 12 hours for police or army assistance to arrive. First aid was imperative until hospitalisation was made possible by the army.

2022 AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the DVF was held on Thursday February 24 at 3.00 p m in the Auditorium of its headquarters. Secretary H B Premaratne and President. Board of Trustees, Sumedha Amerasinghe conducted the meeting. Present at the head table were Ven Hakmana Sumanasiri Maha Thera and Ven Vajiraramaye Nanasiha Thera, Co-Patrons. The Most Ven Thirikunamale Ananda Thera, Patron, arrived late for the AGM as he was at a meeting with the President.

Election of office bearers of the Board of Trustees had the following unanimously elected

President – Sumedha Amerasinghe

Vice-Presidents – Desabhimani J.P.Kannangara

Dr, Nalin Goonesinghe

Arunashanta de Silva, (President’s Counsel)

Secretary – H. B. Premaratne

Treasurer – N.B.G.Nanayakkara, (Chartered Accountant)

Internal Auditor – Mrs. Kanthi Perera

External Auditor – Silva & Co.

After the Secretary and President presented their reports for the two previous years, Most Ven Vajiraramaye Nanasiha Thera was invited to address the gathering. He stated that the DVF organisation, 44 years old, finds its objective, viz., the establishment of a dharmavijaya or righteous society, even more relevant and topical at present times. Similarly, keeping to the motto of DVF, which is Samavayo eva sadhu, meaning ‘Concord indeed is Commendable’.

He referred to a memorandum addressed by the Buddhasasana Karyasadhaka Mandalaya of which the DVF is a member, to the President, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Religious leaders, heads of all political parties in Parliament and the General Public calling for united action without bickering over petty party politics to steer the country out of its present predicament.

He further said: “At the special public meeting I spoke on the Dharmavijaya Sarana Seva that was started on my initiative and inaugurated on that day. The two trustees working on that programme were Messrs. Karu Heenatigala and Lakshman Mahanama.

The idea was for any person who could spare clothing, household items, curtaining, wheelchairs or anything in one’s household that were of good condition to be handed to the DVF with meritorious thoughts of giving or letting go.

Any of these items could be collected by another person or family in need. On one side there is compassion, kindness and benevolence and on the other there is warmth, goodwill and gratitude. The aim of this novel concept is to spread the idea gradually to the 472 affiliated Dharmavijaya Societies based in temples throughout the country.

Additionally, this would encourage generosity in any social group. If in a rural village one family had a breadfruit tree that was bearing, they could sell some and donate some by taking the fruits to the village temple or kept outside the home to be picked up by needy persons.

Monetised economy has resulted in somewhat drying up the values of compassion, kindness and generosity that had been ingrained in our people through Buddhism. The aim now is to rekindle that flame within people.”

Recent special service

Four areas in the Trincomalee District were identified and a survey carried out with the intention of prioritising areas of assistance as regards children and homes of disadvantaged people living in selected villages. The report was presented at the AGM by Cyril Gunapala, a former President of the DVF Board of Trustees.

Due to further delay of the Patron, an address by him was video presented.

With the vote of thanks proposed by H B Premaratne, the AGM adjourned at around 5.30 p m with refreshments being served.

– N P W