Young recipients taking part in the ceremonies to warmly welcome kind donors of the upgraded Seenigama Sunday School

On the afternoon of the 5th March, the Siri Kavidhajatissa Daham Pasala (Sunday School) at the Seenigama Village Temple was declared opened in an elaborate ceremony, which also marked the annual prize-giving ceremony of the school.

The construction of this building actually commenced prior to the Tsunami, through donations from the villagers and other small fundraising activities. When the tsunami struck, the partly-completed building played a key role in the survival of the villagers who took refuge at the Village Temple. The building was converted into a community kitchen, where meals for over 2,000 villagers were prepared on a daily basis.

Distinguished guests being led up the stairs to the Seenigama Temple and Sunday School Grounds

The Foundation is thus extremely pleased to be involved in the completion of this building, which holds a special place in the hearts of all the villagers. Completion of the project included expanding and completing the existing structure, the provision of furniture, landscaping the garden, providing water and electricity, and building a toilet block. The following persons and institutions funded the total expense, of 1.1 Million Sri Lankan Rupees:

• KINGS SCHOOL (DUBAI)
• THE LORD PROVOST'S CHARITABLE TRUST FUND (ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL)
• WOLDINGHAM SCHOOL (UK)
• MR. STEWART RITCHIE AND FRIENDS

A young girl ready to hand the Betel leaves as part of the traditional opening ceremony for the school

During the elaborate and traditional ceremony held, Kushil, in his speech, highlighted that the donors involved in this project were all non-Buddhist, and this especially was a significant fact to remember and appreciate. This squashes claims by some critics who argue that the motivation behind a lot of development is religious conversion. In Seenigama and surrounding villages, people and institutions from all over the world of various religions and non-religions have supported our people with no other motivation that that of compassion. Kushil also paid a very special tribute to the Ritchie family, who were present at the event, for all their amazing and continual support. Donations from the Kings School in Dubai and the Aberdeen City Council were made possible though the Ritchie family.

Once more, we extend our grateful thanks to all the donors who have helped us in this project, with a special thanks to the Ritchie family whose continued support at Seenigama has been an inspiration to us at the Foundation.

Young dancers put on a wonderful show for their guests