Over 300 foreigners take part:

Global Convention of Universal Brotherhood held in Colombo

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Over 300 foreigners mainly corporate clients participated at the two-day Global Convention of Universal Brotherhood which was hosted in Colombo at the BMICH New Wing last week. The devotees were from the USA, UK, Singapore and India. The event was conducted to commemorate their 75th anniversary.

Prem Kumar Thampi (right) and T. S. Prakash at the event

High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Ashok Kantha said conventions of this nature would further promote the relationship between the two countries.

Member of Parliament in Singapore Vishva Sadasivam said they must follow decisions taken at the congress so that it would be beneficial for the future.

On the second day the workshop was facilitated by ICICI Bank, Country Head, Sri Lanka Prem Kumar Thampi to formulate action plans to take forward the objectives of the Convention. Thus, three groups devised action plans focusing on the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka covering development, education and healthcare, deployment of technology and conservation of environment and cultural initiatives.

Components of the action plan were addressed at the plenary sessions and discussed at length for approval and follow-up action.

The Convention concluded following the discussion of key topics including offering higher education scholarships for Sri Lankan students in India, adopting and developing of a village into a habitat of the future with emphasis on bio-fuels, solar technology and information management, establishing academic research in comparative theology in a leading university in Sri Lanka, encouraging the study of Indian languages in Sri Lanka and Sinhala in India, opening rural centres for meditation and promoting a centre for the study of Theravada Buddhism in India.

Thampi said that they would be selecting a few bright Sri Lankan students to grant scholarships to study in Indian universities, which would be funded by the organisation. This is expected to take place next year.

A dance act from the convention

He also said that Sri Lanka was the appropriate venue for the Convention as it is one of few countries in Asia to end a conflict. "The aim of our organisation is also to promote peace," he said.

"The Convention serves as an essential bridge between the philosophical traditions of India and Sri Lanka, and gives us a rare opportunity to strengthen ties and rebuild human lives," said General Manager, Revlon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and Global Convention Organising Secretary T.S. Prakash,. "The aim was to bring together representatives of fraternal communities from all over the world, learn from the founding principles of the organisation and create similar fraternal communities," he explained on the Convention's objectives.

The Convention was held as a result of the highly successful World Parliament of Religions held in New Delhi, in 2007. Coinciding with Sree Narayana Guru's visit to the island in 1918 and 1926, Sri Lanka was deemed ideal to host the Convention. This endeavour was made possible through the collective efforts of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, Sivagiri Madam, Sree Narayana Mandira Samithi, Mumbai and Sree Narayana Guru Society of Sri Lanka among other supporting and participating organisations, well-wishers and disciples.