Report for 2000 - 2001 (Oct 2000 - Oct 2001)
Membership:
795 have obtained membership of the society, of whom 275 are life members. It must be recorded that many ordinary and associate members have failed to renew their membership.
Meetings:
Dec 28, 2000: Seminar on Vegetarianism and the services of Dr. E W Adikaram, at JRJ Centre, Colombo. Panelists: Prof. J B Disanayaka, Mr Vipin Chand (Chennai, India), Dr. D.P. Atukorala, Mrs. Penny Jayawardana, Prof. M. Palihawadana
March 26, 2001: Press Conference followed by Public Talk by Mr Jashu Shah, (President, Asian Vegetarian Union and Gen. Sec. Reverence for Life Veg. Soc., Mumbai, India) at Dharma Vijaya Foundation Auditorium, Colombo
ExCo meetings were held on the last Saturday of every month.
Discussion meetings/ Public Talks:
By resource persons from the society at Maitreya Foundation, Minuwangoda (Dec 9, 2000) and Kaluaggala Temple, Mirigama (Feb. 7, 2001).
Talks were given by Exco member Saman Chandra Ranasingha at Biyagama Temple and Ayurveda College, Yakkala; by Exco member Premachandra Godagampola at Seeduwa, Raddolugama, Polpitimukalana, Kuliyapitiya, Katupota and Dambadeniya; by Exco member Dr. Praneeth Abhayasundara at schools and societies in the Colombo District during the period under review. Exco member Ven. Maduruoye Dhammissara gave several Ahimsa/vegetarianism-based Dhamma sermons on SLBC and at temples in Nawinna and Maharagama areas.
Media Events:
April 7: Mr Jashu Shah, President Asian Veg. Union interviewed on ITN by Prof. M. Palihawadana
May 5/12: Rupavahini (Chnl. Eye) illustrated discussion of vegetarian cooking and nutrition. Partcipants: Mrs. Sunanda Weerasingha, SLVS life member and producer of vegetarian foods, Mrs. Anoma Wattaldeniya and Prof. M. Palihawadana
Regular newspaper articles by consultant cardiologist Dr D P Atukorala (Life -member of SLVS) on the health aspects of the of the plant-based diet were a noteworthy feature of the vegetarian scene during the current year.
Pamphlets on Vegetarianism:
Two new pamphlets were issued during the year and two were reprinted.
News Magazine:
The 10th issue (Vol 5, no. i) of Mituru Lova was released in Dec 2000 and the 11th issue (vol 5, no. ii) is ready for release on 25.11.2001.
Special Events:
Oct 14 - 20: First Asian Vegetarian Conference in Goa, India. Prof. Palihawadana represented SLVS and spoke on “Vegetarianism: A Buddhist and Sri Lankan Perspective” (Oct. 17)
Contacts with world movements with similar objectives:
SLVS is a member of the International Vegetarian Union since 1997. It is also collaborating with the Asian Vegetarian Union inaugurated in 1999. Recently, it became, on invitation, a partner of the Global Hunger Alliance which stands for the sustainable cultivation of plants for human consumption as against industrial animal agriculture which worsens the problems of world hunger, pollution and depletion of natural resources. The society does not derive any financial gain from these contacts but maintains them as a measure of support in a common cause, i.e., the march towards a sustainable and cruelty -free civilisation.
Our Thanks:
We are thankful to all the panelists and guest speakers who participated in our seminars and public meetings, to Ven Higgoda Khemananda of New York Buddhist Vihara and Mr Prematilaka Mapitigama of the J. R. Jayewardene Cultural Centre and Mr. Olcott Gunasekara of the Dharma Vijaya Foundation for generously giving us facilities for our meetings in December 2000 and March 2001, to Mrs. Sunethra Weerasinghe of Suhada Children’s Home, Madiwela, Kotte, for helping us to get down Shri Vipin Chand from India for the Dec 28 seminar, to Mrs Padmini Fonseka, Principal of Anula Nursery School and other members of her staff for giving us free use of the school hall for our meetings, to senior media personality Mr. H.M. Gunasekara and Mr. S.B.A.M.P. Weerawardane of Sri Lanka Krishnamurti Centre, for their cordial and unfailing support to the society and to Mr. Uditha Palihakkara, doyen of Sri Lanka Accountants and Life Member of SLVS for once again helping us with the audit of our accounts. Finally we express our gratitude to all members of the Executive Committee for the ungrudging co-operation and financial support given in all activities of the society, especially to Asst. Treasurer Mr. Chandika Weragala who has been providing free transport facilities whenever required and to the Vice President, Mrs. Bandu Masakorala for the regular financial and other assistance that she has been giving the society over a long period of time..
Sisira Sumatipala Perera/Chanaka Amaratunga, Mahinda Palihawadana, Manoj Krishantha Perera, Joint Secretaries, President, Treasurer
Oct 26: Launch of “Healthy Natural Diet for All” by SLVS ExCo member Dr. Vajira Seneviratna. Talks on vegetarian life style were part of the proceedings.