December 1, 2007
Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, founder of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement,
received Sri Lankabhimanya (Pride of Sri Lanka), the country’s
highest honor today.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapkase conferred the award upon Dr.
Ariyaratne.
The proclamation recognized Dr. Ariyaratne’s five decades of service
to the upliftment of socially marginalized and oppressed people, and
his unwavering commitment to non-violent transformation of
societies.
Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne receiving the honor from Sri
Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse
The proclamation reads,
“In recognition of the exceptional honour and glory brought to
the motherland by his pioneering endeavors in establishing and
carrying forward for five decades the Sarvodaya Movement for
livelihood development of the socially oppressed and marginalized,
and peace and co-existence; and by the many international accolades
received for using his vision of Ahimsa based on Buddhist and
Gandhian principles for the benefit of world community, especially
in the search for peace and non-violent social transformation, a
grateful and appreciative nation hereby confers on Deshabandhu
Ahangamage Tudor Ariyaratne, the highest national honour of Sri
Lankabhivmanya.”
The Sri Lankabhimanya honor is the highest civil award conferred
upon those who have rendered exceptionally outstanding and most
distinguished service to the nation. The other recipients include
former Presidents Ranasinghe Premadasa and D.B.Wijethunga, Dr.Lestor
James Peiris, Late Lakshman Kadirgamar, internationally acclaimed
science fiction writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke and Justice Christopher
G. Weeramantry.
Dr. Ariyaratne has received many international awards including the
Gandhi Peace Prize (India), the Hubert H. Humphrey Award (USA),
Niwano Peace Prize (Japan), the King Baudouin Award for
International Development (Belgium), and the Ramon Magsaysay Award
for Community Leadership (Philippines).
|
