A society that promotes peace, a society that respects every religion, a society that respects the dignity of every human being is what the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement stands for, as borrowed from the Gandhian Philosophy. It is the promotion of these values that dominated most sentiments during the Sarvodaya 60th anniversary celebration in Colombo Sri Lanka on 7 December 2018.
Speaking during the celebrations, the founder of the movement, Dr. A.T Ariyaratne said that Sarvodaya does not take political, racial or religious sides in its work. It is instead guided by inclusion of all.
“For the last 60 years, we have had the principle of inclusion of all,” he said.
Inspired by the work of ideals of Sarvodaya and having partnered with them in the past Arigatou International (Global Network of Religions for Children and End Child Poverty) participated in the colourful celebrations in which about 1500 people attended. In past, Sarvodaya has worked closely with the Arigatou International – End Child Poverty, Knowledge Centre to implement grassroots programs aimed at ending child poverty and violence against children. An example of such programs has been the cyber safety program for parents and children. Endowed with unique resources coupled up with the vast experience and being faith inspired, Sarvodaya remains a strong partner of Arigatou International.
Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement is the largest and most broadly embedded community based organization in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1958, the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement is a unique people’s self-help organization inspired by the Gandhian Philosophy which includes values of peace, nonviolence and respect. The same values which were affirmed in the celebrations. “In all our work, we have been guided by the Gandhian Philosophy and we will not stop doing that,” said Dr. A.T Ariyaratne, the founder of the movement. Sarvodaya has a proven history of exceptional accomplishments, a strong organizational structure with 26 District Centres, and a formidable outreach, which encompasses more than 15,000 villages across all of Sri Lanka’s regions and ethnic groups.
