Hong Kong Buddhist leader helps reconstruct flood-wrecked homes
Daily News, Thursday January 11, 1990
By our Mount Lavinia group correspondent
The president of the Hong Kong YMBA, Mr. Kok Shiju Ming being conducted in procession to the Thunandahena village in Kaduwela. The Ven. Mapalagama Vipulasara Thera and provincial council member Chandra Gunasekara are also in the picture. (Picture by Mt. Lavinia group correspondent)
The President of the Hong Kong YMBA Mr. Kok Shiyu Ming who donated Rs. 500,000 for rebuilding 19 flood ravaged houses in Thunandabena, Pelenga-hawatta in Kaduwela last year through the intervention of the Ven. Mapalagama Vipulasara Thera said he would extend futher assistance to complete the work which was held up by rising building material prices.
He was speaking at Thunandahena, which place he visited accompanied by the Ven. Vipulasara and other officials to review the progress of construction work.
Earlier the owners of these houses and their relatives received Mr. Kok and his entourage and conducted them around the construction sites. Mr. Kok then declared open one of the completed houses by cutting a ribbon, and blessed it according to Mahayana Buddhist traditions. Thereafter the Maha Sangha led by the Ven. Vipulasara chanted seth pirith invoking blessings on the inmates of the completed houses.
Mr. Kok further said that even though they belonged to different nations and spoke different languages their common aim was to serve humanity and enable people to lead decent lives.
All countries, had to face different challenges at different times irrespective of whether they were rich or poor. Although as Buddhists they could not change the world order they could at least strive to minimise people's sufferings, he said.
Mr. Kok said his sole endeavour was to usher in a peaceful society according to Buddhist principles. "As Buddhists we should always be compassionate, patient and feel content with what we have gained", he said.
In conclusion he wished the people of Sri Lanka a happy and peaceful New Year.
The Ven. Mapalagama Vipulasara Thera said Mr. Kok had agreed to help in the construction of the houses in response to the publicity given by Hong Kong newspapers to the havoc caused by floods in Sri Lanka last year.
The 19 houses in Pelengahawatte were chosen by them for this assistance scheme at the request of Mr. Chandra Gunasekara, provincial council member.
Mr. Chandra Gunasekara and Mr. Piyasoma Medis' Secretary of the Paramedhamma Cetiya Pirivena Vihara conservation fund which is handling the construction work also accompanied the visitors.
