CPArts Activities in October -November 2007

The Centre for Performing Arts’ Women’s Convention was held at Bandarawela Town Council Hall on 19th and 20th June with the participation of 273 CPArts women – Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers - from 20 Regional Centres in Sri Lanka.

This memorable and historical convention of unprecedented nature was inaugurated with a long procession from Bandarawela Children’s Park headed by religious dignitaries (Venerable Morapitiya Sarananda Thero, Sivasubramaniya Sivachariya Balakumara Srimani, Rev.Fr. B.Eugene and Moulavi Alhaj Lafir) to the accompaniment of Nathaswaram music.

As soon as the procession reached the Convention Hall, the ritual lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the chief guests and the Co-ordinators belonging to all the Regional CPArts Centres took place. Mrs. Ruby Valentina Francis, a lecturer at the Eastern University, and Mrs.Wimala Karunaratna, the President of Sinhala-Tamil Rural Women’s Network and Chairman of the Central province of Sri Lanka NGO Council, graced this solemn event as chief guests. This was followed by a welcome dance by children of Haputale CPArts and a speech by the Co-ordinator of Haputale CPArts, Mr.A.Sandanam.

The Co-ordinator of CPArts Women’s Unit, Mrs. A.Genova and the Additional Deputy Director of CPArts, Mrs.R.Sepali, addressed the audience explaining the paramount importance of the role of women in society and how they can achieve their objectives of emancipation and contribute to creating a conducive atmosphere for peace and prosperity in Sri Lanka.

Mrs. Ruby Valentina Francis spoke on the terrible devastation and destruction caused by Tsunami particularly to women and children. She stated that the tidal waves have not been a respector of caste, creed or race nor have they been deferential towards wealth or worldly might. She pointed out that what human beings could not do, “Mother Nature” had accomplished within a few seconds. She also elaborated on the untold sufferings and hardships women underwent as a result of Tsunami, particularly in the camps, and underlined the uncertainly and insecurity of the future in relation to education of children who have been orphaned. She also emphasized that women should develop mental strength to face such calamities in the future, for which psycho-social programmes should be conducted in all regional Centres.

Mrs. Wimala Karunaratne in her speech mentioned that 70% of the world’s poor are women and 75% of the world’s illiterate are also women. Women produce the world’s food and yet they earn only 10% of the income. She further said that violence against women causes deaths and disability among them. She touched topics such as: women and poverty, education and training for women, women’s disability in war, women’s economic activities, human rights of women, protection and promotion of the welfare of women to create awareness, legal aid and assistance for the abused women, self employment for women and promotion of community participation.

Thereafter a session was conducted by the Co-ordinators of the Regional Centres on “Women’s Position in Society and their Future”, with particular emphasis on Human Rights, Women and Peace, Disaster and Therapy.

After lunch-break, a workshop took place with the participations of members of all the CPArts Regional Centres. The theme: CPArts Women’s Units’ Future Plans and Activities.

A few women made use of the time before the start of the cultural programme to state some of their experiences as a result of being part of the CPArts family. A widow, whose soldier husband was killed in the war, stated that she hated the militants who killed her husband and that she had nurtured animosity and bitterness towards the Tamils. But after becoming a member of the CPArts, a change had taken place in her heart and that now she had become convinced that she could be very friendly with the Tamils and that her life would be unhappy without the vital friendly contacts and relationships with the Tamil women of CPArts.

The first day ended with short and interesting cultural programmes presented by the members of all twenty CPArts Regional Centres. There were Folk Dances, Eastern and Western Dances and mimed Plays. The items were so well- planned and beautifully performed that everyone in the audience enjoyed the precious moments.

The second day’s events included an inter-religious meditation, women’s awakening songs and a fashion parade which was the cynosure of all eyes and captivated and enthralled the hearts of everyone.

Rev. Prof. N.M.Saveri, Director of the Centre for Performing Arts, summed up the aims and strategies of CPArts and its Women’s Unit. He stated that the Centre for Performing Arts is a movement with lofty ideals; it is a family without barriers. He stated further: whether it is children, youth or women, the motivating force of CPArts is dedication cum sacrifice. CPArts has a mission to accomplish: contribute to peace-building through creative arts. At the moment it is also involved in Tsunami therapy. He praised the Women’s Units of CPArts for their selfless service to Tsunami victims and encouraged them to continue their work of healing. He thanked Mrs. Genova and Mrs. Sepali (and Mr.P.S Alfred) for their contribution to the success of the Convention.

The vote of thanks was given by Ms. A.Queen Jancy, Colombo Coordinating Office and Mrs H.K. Lalani Pradeepa, Coordinator of Hambantota CPArts.

All in all: the Convention was a moving experience to many of the participants. Almost all of them visited Bandarawela- a place of beautiful landscape and salubrious climate- for the first time and without exception enjoyed being there. In addition, the Haputale CPArts whose members are all children of parents working in tea plantations, rose to the occasion by assuming the role of organizing and coordinating the event. And finally, an intimate, integrated and interactive relationship had been established among the women who took part in this event.

Report prepared by CPArts Co-ordinating Office

The above Convention was the final and crowning event of a two-year Project : Animation for Empowerment for Peace supported by Women’s World Day of Prayer- German Committee (WDP). CPArts wishes to thank the main sponsor of this project WDP, and also Caritas Australia, Cordaid, Helvetas and all our benefactors who support our activities in general

		CPArts Activities in June 2005




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	Women’s Convention at Bandarawela 19 & 20 June 2005 The Centre for Performing Arts’ Women’s Convention was held at Bandarawela Town Council Hall on 19th and 20th June with the participation of 273 CPArts women – Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers - from 20 Regional Centres in Sri Lanka. This memorable and historical convention of unprecedented nature was inaugurated with a long procession from Bandarawela Children’s Park headed by religious dignitaries (Venerable Morapitiya Sarananda Thero, Sivasubramaniya Sivachariya Balakumara Srimani, Rev.Fr. B.Eugene and Moulavi Alhaj Lafir) to the accompaniment of Nathaswaram music. As soon as the procession reached the Convention Hall, the ritual lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the chief guests and the Co-ordinators belonging to all the Regional CPArts Centres took place. Mrs. Ruby Valentina Francis, a lecturer at the Eastern University, and Mrs.Wimala Karunaratna, the President of Sinhala-Tamil Rural Women’s Network and Chairman of the Central province of Sri Lanka NGO Council, graced this solemn event as chief guests. This was followed by a welcome dance by children of Haputale CPArts and a speech by the Co-ordinator of Haputale CPArts, Mr.A.Sandanam. The Co-ordinator of CPArts Women’s Unit, Mrs. A.Genova and the Additional Deputy Director of CPArts, Mrs.R.Sepali, addressed the audience explaining the paramount importance of the role of women in society and how they can achieve their objectives of emancipation and contribute to creating a conducive atmosphere for peace and prosperity in Sri Lanka. Mrs. Ruby Valentina Francis spoke on the terrible devastation and destruction caused by Tsunami particularly to women and children. She stated that the tidal waves have not been a respector of caste, creed or race nor have they been deferential towards wealth or worldly might. She pointed out that what human beings could not do, “Mother Nature” had accomplished within a few seconds. She also elaborated on the untold sufferings and hardships women underwent as a result of Tsunami, particularly in the camps, and underlined the uncertainly and insecurity of the future in relation to education of children who have been orphaned. She also emphasized that women should develop mental strength to face such calamities in the future, for which psycho-social programmes should be conducted in all regional Centres. Mrs. Wimala Karunaratne in her speech mentioned that 70% of the world’s poor are women and 75% of the world’s illiterate are also women. Women produce the world’s food and yet they earn only 10% of the income. She further said that violence against women causes deaths and disability among them. She touched topics such as: women and poverty, education and training for women, women’s disability in war, women’s economic activities, human rights of women, protection and promotion of the welfare of women to create awareness, legal aid and assistance for the abused women, self employment for women and promotion of community participation. Thereafter a session was conducted by the Co-ordinators of the Regional Centres on “Women’s Position in Society and their Future”, with particular emphasis on Human Rights, Women and Peace, Disaster and Therapy. After lunch-break, a workshop took place with the participations of members of all the CPArts Regional Centres. The theme: CPArts Women’s Units’ Future Plans and Activities. A few women made use of the time before the start of the cultural programme to state some of their experiences as a result of being part of the CPArts family. A widow, whose soldier husband was killed in the war, stated that she hated the militants who killed her husband and that she had nurtured animosity and bitterness towards the Tamils. But after becoming a member of the CPArts, a change had taken place in her heart and that now she had become convinced that she could be very friendly with the Tamils and that her life would be unhappy without the vital friendly contacts and relationships with the Tamil women of CPArts. The first day ended with short and interesting cultural programmes presented by the members of all twenty CPArts Regional Centres. There were Folk Dances, Eastern and Western Dances and mimed Plays. The items were so well- planned and beautifully performed that everyone in the audience enjoyed the precious moments. The second day’s events included an inter-religious meditation, women’s awakening songs and a fashion parade which was the cynosure of all eyes and captivated and enthralled the hearts of everyone. Rev. Prof. N.M.Saveri, Director of the Centre for Performing Arts, summed up the aims and strategies of CPArts and its Women’s Unit. He stated that the Centre for Performing Arts is a movement with lofty ideals; it is a family without barriers. He stated further: whether it is children, youth or women, the motivating force of CPArts is dedication cum sacrifice. CPArts has a mission to accomplish: contribute to peace-building through creative arts. At the moment it is also involved in Tsunami therapy. He praised the Women’s Units of CPArts for their selfless service to Tsunami victims and encouraged them to continue their work of healing. He thanked Mrs. Genova and Mrs. Sepali (and Mr.P.S Alfred) for their contribution to the success of the Convention. The vote of thanks was given by Ms. A.Queen Jancy, Colombo Coordinating Office and Mrs H.K. Lalani Pradeepa, Coordinator of Hambantota CPArts. All in all: the Convention was a moving experience to many of the participants. Almost all of them visited Bandarawela- a place of beautiful landscape and salubrious climate- for the first time and without exception enjoyed being there. In addition, the Haputale CPArts whose members are all children of parents working in tea plantations, rose to the occasion by assuming the role of organizing and coordinating the event. And finally, an intimate, integrated and interactive relationship had been established among the women who took part in this event. Report prepared by CPArts Co-ordinating Office The above Convention was the final and crowning event of a two-year Project : Animation for Empowerment for Peace supported by Women’s World Day of Prayer- German Committee (WDP). CPArts wishes to thank the main sponsor of this project WDP, and also Caritas Australia, Cordaid, Helvetas and all our benefactors who support our activities in general Report by CPArts Team