News
Parishioner says two tombstones he erected in church cemetery dislodged and discarded
by Harischandra Gunaratna
Tony Clement Trevor Perera, who ran a flourishing business selling chandeliers in Sweden and Poland, returned to Sri Lanka as his mother was ailing.
A longstanding resident of Bolawalana and a parishioner of the Church of Our Lady of Purification, he looked after his mother and was devastated when she died later.
Around the time of All Souls Day in November last year, he decided to erect two granite tombstones at the gravesites of his parents, Cecil Perera and Anne Laura Perera, and his sister Maureen Perera at the church cemetery.
“The gravestones were put up with the permission of the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Ananda Withana”, he asserted.
Perera said that a few days later, he was shocked to find the two tombstones uprooted and discarded by some persons during the curfew imposed in the area following the Covid-19 outbreak.
“I believe that this was done by the church cemetery committee”, he noted.
As even the dead were not allowed to rest in peace, he said that he lodged a complaint with the Negombo police on the incident, which caused him immense pain of mind.
Thereafter, the HQI Negombo, Chief Inspector Frederick Wootler summoned all the parties concerned, including the Parish Priest for an inquiry. As two persons were identified, the HQI assured that action will be initiated against the suspects, Perera claimed.
When The Sunday Island contacted HQI Wootler, he replied, “I cannot recall the particular incident as there are more than 20 complaints per day. Ask the complainant to meet me in my office”.
“I later transported the dislodged tombstones from the church graveyard to my home on the advice of the HQI, who cautioned that further damage could be caused to them if left unattended in the cemetery”, Perera said.
He complained that though almost three months have lapsed, the police have still failed to initiate action against those responsible for dislodging the gravestones.
However, when The Sunday Island contacted Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Withana, he said the tombstones had been erected without his permission.
“It was done arbitrarily”, he claimed.
The Parish Priest further said a decision was taken by the church cemetery committee not to permit the erection of tombstones after 2017.
Refuting this claim, Perera said that several tombstones had been erected in the church cemetery after 2017, and insisted that he obtained the priest’s prior permission to put up the tombstones in memory of his late parents and sister.
“How can two such heavy objects be erected without the knowledge of the priest or any other person in the church?”, he asked.
After transporting the gravestones home, Perera and his wife Ayomi erected them in their garden.
“This was the first time that I heard of tombstones erected in a church cemetery being uprooted and thrown away”, he said.
Perera further said that he has also written to the IGP about the police inaction on his complaint to the Negombo HQI.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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