Daya Gamage – US National Correspondent Asian Tribune
Washington, D.C. 27 May (Asiantribune.com): Sri Lankans living in and around the City of Los Angeles stormed the streets (corner of Wilshire and Vermont) at the vicinity of the Sri Lanka Consular office in Los Angeles yelling "Peace at last".
The "Jaya – Ghosha" (Jubilation) was initiated by "Sri Lankan Patriots" (SLP), the Lankan community group of ex-patriates based in Los Angeles. The Ghosha was conducted under the theme "Sri Lanka defeats terrorism – Peace at last". The members of the group and many other Lankans gathered in front of the Consular office of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles at 3250 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, on Wednesday 20th at 3.30PM.
The event was organized to celebrate the grand success of the Sri Lankan Government’s victory over separatist terrorism of the vicious terrorist group, the LTTE.
"The organizing of "Jaya-Ghosha" 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.
The SLP said, on this sunny working day the Lankans had left their places of work early to take part in a memorable event. The gathering, of around couple of hundreds of Lankans, went in procession around the streets of the Consulate office. At the top of the procession was a large banner depicting the theme of the event, "Sri Lanka defeats terrorism – Peace at last". Either side of the banner was enlarged photos of Sri Lankan president Rajapaksa. Behind it was a team of drummers led by Jagath Lakpriya ably assisted by Rohitha Sudharshan 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 Rajapaksa.
Around 15 Buddhist monks followed the scroll and the rest carried Sri Lankan flags, enlarged photos of Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the army chiefs and posters denouncing terrorism. The procession having done several rounds gathered at the entrance to the building housing the CG office chanting more slogans and beating the hewisi, to proclaim the gathering’s elation over defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka. Consul General for Sri Lanka Ananda Wickremasinghe was invited by the SLP to accept the "Sandeshaya", on behalf of the Sri Lanka Government.
The Consular General 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 CG 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 diversed back grounds and different political party affiliations are gathered here today to celebrate defeat of terrorism” mentioned Rohitha Sudhrshana, 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 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 were conducted by COPAA president Adnan Khan.
Shanthini Rowel, committee member of SLP read out the "Sandeshaya" which was ceremonially presented to the CG, for delivery to the president of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Sri Lankan Patriot USA theme was "We salute the present political leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the immense service rendered by Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa 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 place for 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.
- Asian Tribune -
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