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| Sunday, 28 April 2002 |
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Counselling - a necessary concept by Don Asoka Wijewardena Counselling services are essential for the well-being of people in troubled situations. It is a process which helps the affected individual understand his/her own problem by mediation and co-operation. However, in Sri Lanka where the younger generation is demoralised by various social forces, and consequently fail to fulfil their aspirations, counselling is an unheard of concept. Ven. Tissamaharamaye Punna Thera, who was under the tutelage of Ven. Weligama Gnanarathana Thera (Chief Incumbent of Ratmalana Mallikaramaya) has taken an initiative to establish a counselling centre at Thalawatugoda at a cost of Rs. 5.5 million. Ven. Tissamaharamaye Punna who is the Director of (Religions) at the National Education Institute, Maharagama was interviewed by the 'Sunday Observer'. Excerpts of the interview Q: Ven. Punna: You have taken the initiative to construct a well-equipped counselling centre at Thalawatugoga. What was your motive? A: As we know,there are a number of people who are in urgent need of guidance and counselling because of emerging social and personal problems. Some people are devoid of empathy and vision, and are forced to commit suicide, kill others and engage in anti-social activities. To rescue a nation with diminishing human qualities and to protect the Buddhist order, I decided to establish a centre for counselling service. I am extremely happy to say that my plan has materialised. Q: In your opinion can a misled person be rehabilitated through counselling? A: Yes. Unlike in the past, at present people in different social stratas are facing intractable problems both physical and mental. A wise counsellor with a true humanitarian approach can rehabilitate any person affected. For instance, some counsellors attached to our present Suhada Social Service Foundation for Counselling have already rehabilitated both young and adult drug addicts who were on the verge of death. Q: The modern society is full of social evils. Do you agree with that? A: Yes, today people in our society have lost mental satisfaction due to social competitiveness and human values have been overshadowed by the pressure to make money. Respecting elders, especially parents has disappeared. Money has become the criterion of the society and discipline, ethics and virtue are no longer practised by a majority of people, self-aggrandizement has become the order of the day. Pornographic films, magazines and western films with stomach-churning scenes have also exerbated social unrest and have led the society to an abyss. Q: What are the primary objectives of the new counselling centre? A: The main objectives of the centre are as follows: 1. To provide counselling service and guidance to those in need of it without any discrimination. 2. To make available a strong network of counselling service to build up inter-personal relationships (between parents and their children, between teachers and pupils, between employer and employees, between husband and wife, which seem to be degenerating in the society. Apart from this,our centre is also providing counselling services to solve problems related to child abuse, sexual harassment, prostitution, alcoholism and drug addiction. Q: What are the current programmes you have commenced and how far have those succeeded? A: An Association of Mothers has been set up to solve family disputes and our counsellors have been able to unite broken families in several villages. Our former Director of the National Education Institute Mrs. Amara Peiris has been on regular visits to houses of drug addicts, child abusers, underaged employees, mentally retarded people and regular gamblers and through constant counselling several individuals have been rehabilitated. In addition to that, Dr. Thilokasundari Kariyawasam and Dr. Dhamika Bibile have already started to counsel drug addicts, people on job related problems,people in economic difficulties and people who are inclined to engage in anti-social activities. Q: How do you expect to obtain funds for the construction of the new counselling centre? A: This is a worthy cause. I have the feeling that some people have a genuine interest in contributing to social institutions established or under construction. The true worth of a human being is measured by what he contributes to the welfare of the society. The proposed counselling centre at Thalawatugoda will cost around Rs. 80 lakhs and will provide opportunities for religious dignitaries in temples, churches and kovils to obtain training in advanced counselling techniques in the world. Those who are interested to contribute cash to the centre are requested to contact Ven. Tissamaharamaye Punne Thera on (01-842664). |
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