Special Programme to Commemorate the Human Rights Day - " In search of humanity"

A workshop to commemorate the Human Rights Day was held by the Savisthri Movement on 12.12.2009 commencing at 0930hrs at the Community Educational Centre at Thalahena, Malabe, Sri Lanka with the participation of 70 members from the 06 Districts where Savisthri Movement is implementing its activities and the National Office. This number included 06 members from the Manna District too.

This programme commenced after listening to the song "Tell me why" .

The National Secretary of the Savisthri Movement, Miss Padma Pushpakanthi gave a clarification regarding the objective of the workshop. She stated :-

ü On 10.12.2009 we passed another Human Rights Day.
ü We as member of the Savisthri Movement has passed several such days whilst working for Human Rights.
ü During that period, have we secured even the right to live?
ü What have we done for Human Rights.

So saying she made a request to make this an opportunity to get an awareness regarding this matter.
One Mr. Sunil Ranasinghe explained in detail what humanity is and the humanity we are searching for. The participants had been divided into ten groups and each group had been given a question regarding human rights seeking the views and suggestions of the members. They gave diverse views such as disparity due to ethnicity, race and religion and due to the widened gap between the rich and the poor, lack of freedom of speech regarding the war, peace, elections, high cost of living, unemployment, injustice, prevailing corruption especially amongst the politicians, harassment, pressure exerted on the poor especially the down-trodden women and children, pilfering of the country's resources etc.

Members suggested that they should stand against the injustice meted out, should commence a dialogue regarding the right to speech not allowed, that awareness programmes should be held regarding the rights of the people.

Summing up, Mr. Ranasinghe said whatever we utter, whether the words be harsh or loving, there should be humanness.

Instead of searching for humanity, we go in search of other things like who should be our administrator or else whether what is shown on the TV is correct. He compared the state to a demon and said that this state does not create a man at all. Through meditation and sermons humanity cannot be searched for. We all should get together to search for humanity.

At the conclusion, the participants were entertained to a cultural show consisting of various items displayed by the Savisthri members of the Six Districts.

Savisthri Fair Trade and Exhibition

Savisthri Fair Trade and Exhibition introducing alternate development through the local consumer pattern of consuming food devoid of chemicals and other poisonous stuff was held in the Savisthri National Office on 11.12.2009 from 0900 hrs to 1900 hrs.

The National Secretary of the Savisthri National Movement addressing the gathering gave a clarification regarding the motive of holding this exhibition ie.

ü Development of the Fair Market.
ü Formation of mass confidence in the Fair Market.
ü Commence a dialogue for the Fair Market.
ü Induce the community for alternative production.
Thereafter the traditional oil lamp was lit by the National Secretary and owners of the trade stalls of alternate produce lit their own candles and with a firm determinations and wishes for the success of this venture returned to their stalls to commence their work. The customary beating of a drum (rabana) a large size Tamborine was done by the women well versed in that art. There were altogether 28 trade stalls manned by the producers of alternate products representing Six Districts of Sri Lanka where Savisthri programmes are being implemented, few other Districts, organizations and individual alternate producers. Among the items displayed were, handicrafts turned out of locally grown reed, food items devoid of poisonous stuff, shoes manufactured out of local raw-materials, hand –loom textiles, items like necklaces, pendants, ear-stands turned out of coconut shells, locally produced manure. Invitation Cards and Greeting Cards turned out of re-cycled paper, indigenous medicinal plants etc.

Local food items cooked within the exhibition premises were kept for display and sale. Preparation of oil cakes, various kinds of yams boiled, herbal drinks, rice and curry for breakfast and lunch using local products which were prepared on the spot were sold steaming hot at very reasonable prices which was higly appreciated by all.
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and other channels like city F.M. and Wayamba Voice aired a descriptive programme live and the Divaina paper made notes of the events for publication.
Views and suggestions of the alternate producers to continue this programme and make it a success are indicated below :-

ü It is good to get an opportunity for inter-change of goods within the Districts.
ü It would have been good, had this exhibition been held in a place frequented by people.
ü Inadequate publicity.
ü Better if week-ends are utilized to hold such exhibitions.
ü Like to give assistance to broaden this work further.
ü It would be better if this is held at least every three months.
ü Better if it is held for a continuous period.
ü Better to have more consumers.
ü Got a new market.
ü Good activity. Better if more opportunities are provided.
ü Good if there is a plan for continuity.

Views and Suggestions of the Consumers

ü Good to formulate a plan to give more publicity.
ü There is a change as expected by us. That is a good change, a change that induces people to alternatives.
ü Cultivation methods devoid of using chemicals and other poisonous stuff are now being given publicity. Hence it is good to organize such activities.

Results of the Trade Exhibition

ü Receipt of an order to supply a stock of dried fish whole-sale from Matara to Kandy.
ü Receipt of an invitation by the Kegalle group to give an awareness regarding various kinds of yams.
ü Receipt of a Saree order by the Matale group.
ü Private orders for various products like Bees Honey, treacle. flour prepared out of the seeds of an edible tree.

Plans have been made for an initial meeting on 18.12.2009 of the production groups to make this programme a success as an incentive for alternate produce and to get people accustomed to such alternatives.