News
Savitri de Silva inducted as Vice President of the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka
In recognition of the yeoman service she has rendered to the Methodist Church, Savitri de Silva was voted in as the Vice President for the year 2023, which is the highest position a lay person can hold in the Methodist Church.
Born into a Christian home Savitri is the daughter of Bonnie Fernando, a well-known journalist at Lake House in the 1960s and Carmen Mendis, a much-loved teacher.
Savitri says her mother was an exceptional lady who imbibed Christian values of faith, honesty, integrity, simplicity, friendship, inclusivity, sharing, fairness and justice. She taught Savitri to thrive in difficult situations and be courageous when standing up for justice. Her mother was blessed with the spirit of joy, fun and laughter, which were the hallmarks of her life.
Savitri’s paternal grandfather was Rev. Bastian Fernando of the Anglican Church while her maternal grandfather was Rev. Samuel George Mendis, the first All Island Chairman of the Methodist Church of Ceylon. Her grandfather and Savitri shared a deep love for each other and she says, to her grandfather, loving God and adhering to God’s commands was imperative.
Her maternal great grandfather, Rev.B. Anthony Mendis was the architect and builder of the Dehiwela Church. There are interesting stories of how he encouraged the Methodist ladies to carry sand in their sarees from the Dehiwela beach to build the present church. As founder of the Wesley Guild Movement in Sri Lanka, he established the first Guild and Juvenile Missionary Society in 1897 in Moratumulla.
Her grandmother’s father was Rev. D.P.G. Ferdinando, known as the ‘Methodist Architect’, was the first Ceylonese to be appointed to the Provincial Synod in 1912. He was involved in the construction of the Moratumulla church, manse and church hall; the Kurana, Kalahe, Divulapitiya and Pethiyagoda churches and drew up plans for the church in Minuwangoda. This is Savitri’s Methodist heritage.
During her school career at Methodist College (MC), she was President of the Junior, Intermediate and Senior English, Literary and Dramatic Societies. She was an actor in College plays which were open to the public and was a script writer for the end of term class plays. She was a First Class Girl Guide and a chorister. She ended her time at MC as the Captain of Shire House.
It was during a Mission of Rev. Dr.Abdul Haq that she first experienced the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. She remembers being almost carried forward by an external force, tears streaming down her face. Her time of deep learning and sharing continued with the late Rev. George E.Good in her preparation for Full Membership and later at CTS.
In her home church, she is a Class Leader, Chorister, Vice President of the MWF and Prayer Co.ordinator and former Secretary of the Leaders Meeting. She is the Lay Secretary of the Central District Synod and a member of the CD Standing Committee.
Savitri’s passion is undoubtedly the Boy’s Industrial Home [BIH] and this is where her heart lies. A Committee Member since 2000 at the invitation of the then Warden, Mrs. Deepthi de Silva, she is currently, Secretary of the Management Committee. Her priority is to introduce the boys to Jesus Christ and for them to live exemplary lives.
Savitri, her husband Vasantha (a former Vice President) without whose support she would not be where she is today, and their children Ramila and Amandhi, share a love for these boys and continue to assist in many ways. Their involvement extends beyond BIH and into their future.
She was trained in Indexing, Classification, etc in the CISIR Library by Ms. Clodagh Nethsingha and ended as Personal Assistant to the late Dr. George Ponnamperuma, where she gained experience in organizing international conferences etc.
During her many years in the Corporate Sector she navigated through diverse areas by working for late Architect Geoffrey Bawa, Acres International Team (Canada) of the Maduru Oya Project, late Mr. Merril Fernando (Dilmah), Mr.Hemaka Amarasuriya (Singer) and at Ceylon Tobacco Company.
When she began working at MCSL on a voluntary basis as Personal Assistant to two past Presidents, Revd. Duleep Fernando and Rev. Noel Fernando, Savitri became more service oriented.
Currently she is a Church Representative on the Methodist College Governing Board, Church Representative on the National Christian Council, Member of the Standing Committee, Joint Secretary of the Overseas Mission Partnership Committee, Member of the Christian Education Committee, Member of the Evangelism Training Colleges Board, Member of the Evangelism Department Committee, Member of the Nominations Committee, and is commissioned and recognized as a Local Preacher. She continues her work as a Counselor.
Savitri’s love for God and all his creations, her devotion to making this place a better world, makes her the ideal candidate for this high office she has been inducted into and there is no doubt her light will continue to shine bright as per her school motto ‘We Scatter Light’.
Anusha David
More than 1,600 students sat this year’s Russian Classical Ballet Examination, the largest number ever to take part in the examination in Sri Lanka. Exams were held in Colombo from 5, to 18, October and in Galle on 10 October.
Students aged four and above came from across the island, including Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Negombo, Matara, Kelaniya, Panadura, Wattala, Kiribathgoda, Ratnapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Bandarawela and Badulla. They are taught by 15 dedicated teachers trained in the Vaganova method, the renowned Russian system of classical ballet training.
They were examined by Dr. Oxana Karnovich of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, a distinguished academic and curator.
The Russian School of Ballet and Dancing was established in 2001 by Michael Ustinov, Buddhapriya Ramanayake and Mrs Chandi Aluvihare, with Mrs Galina Pleshakova as its founding instructor. Today the School is led by Director Madam Maria Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka.
MONETABRIEF– Sri Lanka’s two most senior Buddhist chapters, Malwatte and Asgiriya, demanded special concessions for monks serving prison sentences, following the disrobing of convicted monk Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara in line with established procedures.
The chief prelate of the Asgiriya chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana, told Prisons Commissioner Senaka Palletenna that Ven. Gnanasara, who is serving a six-year sentence for contempt of court, must be released immediately.
Prison authorities have no power to release or pardon convicts, but Palletenna told the monk in Kandy on Friday that he would convey his request to the relevant government authorities.
“There is no point in talking about this and that… The entire country has been shaken (??????? ) . He must be released,” the Asgiriya chief prelate said.
The Malwatte chief prelate, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala, appeared to accept the court verdict against Ven. Gnanasara, but asked the prisons chief whether a separate section could be established for convicted monks.
Palletenna noted that a special ward for the clergy already existed at Welikada Prison.
At least 63 convicted Buddhist monks are currently incarcerated within Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system.
Meanwhile, a group of 34 Buddhist monks named in a Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court order to vacate the vicinity of the Presidential Secretariat ended their protest and dispersed after lunch on Friday.The monks are demanding an unconditional pardon for Ven. Gnanasara, who has previously been imprisoned, making him a reconvicted prisoner.
The debate on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, submitted by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been postponed indefinitely pending the Attorney General’s opinion on certain technical issues in the motion.
Government representatives raised the matter at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, pointing out that several provisions of the motion required clarification and that the Attorney General’s advice should be obtained.
As obtaining the opinion would take time, the debate could not be scheduled for the next parliamentary week, parliamentary sources said.
Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunatilaka said a date for the debate would be decided after the Attorney General’s advice was received.
Meanwhile, Parliament is scheduled to meet from October 20 to 23, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera announced.
The parliamentary business for the week was finalised at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on Friday (16) under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih.
On each sitting day, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. will be allocated for parliamentary business under Items 1 to 6 of Standing Order 22. Questions for Oral Answers will be taken up from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by questions under Standing Order 27(2) from 11 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
On Tuesday, October 20, an Opposition-sponsored Adjournment Motion will be debated from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
On Wednesday, October 21, a resolution under the Public Debt Management Act and a Supplementary Estimate will be taken up for debate and approval from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual reports of five statutory institutions will subsequently be presented for approval without debate, while questions at the Adjournment Time will be taken up from 5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
On Thursday, October 22, the Second Reading debates on two Bills to amend the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Bills Nos. 79 and 80) will be held from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The annual reports of five statutory institutions will then be taken up for approval without debate, followed by an Opposition-sponsored Adjournment Motion from 5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
On Friday, October 23, the Second Reading debate on the Elimination of Rabies and Registration of Dogs Bill will be held from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A Government-sponsored Adjournment Motion will be debated during the final half-hour of the sitting.
Record 1,600 students take Russian Classical Ballet examination in Sri Lanka
Half a million people join protests in France, but some turn violent
Deadly fire breaks out at Canada military base
Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m.
Buddhist hierarchy demands prison perks for monk convicts
Debate on NCM against Speaker postponed indefinitely
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Latest News5 days agoNissanka’s return headlines Sri Lanka’s Test squad against Pakistan
-
Latest News6 days agoFarhan and Sadaqat help Pakistan seal series in style
-
Features6 days agoIntake 16: 45 years of duty and honour
-
News6 days agoMalwathu Chapter issues statement on talks with President over Gnanasara Thera’s robes
-
News6 days agoCP alleges NPP has taken the blame for illegal US sanctions on Iranian vessels
-
Opinion6 days agoHow long can Sri Lanka remain silent on its demographic crisis?
-
News4 days agoSri Lanka, India caught in US-Iran ship crisis
-
Latest News5 days agoKusal Mendis’ unbeaten 87 hands Sri Lanka consolation win