Blueprint to build Gandhi Maha Sabha presented

When Mahatma Gandhi, spearheaded the non violent struggle claiming self rule, against British imperialism, the flames of that struggle reflected within Sri Lanka as well. The Sri Lankans too were motivated towards the struggle against the British. It is in this backdrop, in 1927 Mahatma Gandhi paid a visit to then Ceylon. Gandhi also visited Matale which could be described as the Northern entrance to the upcountry. Gandhi laid the foundation stone for the Pakiyam Ladies' Vidyalayam which thrives as a national school today.

The Matale Gandhi Maha Sabha was setup in 1947. The then Town Council offered a 80 perch land on a 99-year lease at the centre of Matale town and a Board of trustees too was appointed. The location was in close proximity to the place where the freedom fighter Veera Puran Appu met with his heroic death.

The Gandhi Maha Sabha, although housed in a small building fulfilled the spiritual needs and performed several events on culture, arts and traditions. Then came the 1983 program, during which the building was burnt.

After the demise of Mahatma Gandhi several leaders around the world attended the funeral and were fortunate to receive a little of the holy ash of the body. The relatives in Matala of the late national leaders Sri Ponambalam Ramanathan, Sir Ponambalam Arunachalam got this privilege and commemoration Hall including a prayer hall was constructed.

Residents of Matale took steps to rebuild the Gandhi Maha Sabha Hall devastated during the 1983 pogrom. But such endeavours did not succeed. In this backdrop, the current members of the Board, S. Chandrasekeran, President, A. Soosai, Secretary, K. Shanmugarajah, Treasurer, P. Selvaratman, P. Vadivelan and Ganeshan met the Minister and president of the Upcountry Peoples Front. P. Chandrasekeran recently and held discussions. A blueprint to construct the Gandhi Maha Sabha building was handed over to the Minister.

Media Secretary to the Minister H. H. Wickramasinghe, and Director S. Vijeyachandran participated in the discussion. The Minister said, that the people of the hill country should be proud of the existence of such a memorial hall. He stressed the need for constructive plans for the future.

The Minister promised to bring this matter to the attention of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Vayalar Ravi, the High Commissioner in Colombo, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Alok Prasad and Assistant High Commission in Kandy James Edwin and to arrange financial assistance of India through them. The Minister promised to allocate funds for the construction out of his ministry and to help in the construction of a Cultural Hall, Meditation Hall, Library and offer any other assistance towards the promotion of culture, traditions and arts.

Ministry Secretary U. A. Senaviratne, Director S. Vijeyachandran and the consultants were directed to visit the site and submit an extensive report.