The 3rd successful “Break-Fast At Sunset” was held on the 31st of March 2024 at the Vidyawardana Maha Vidyalaya of Pelawatta, Battaramulla. The event saw the participation of more than 1,500 including children, their parents, and invitees representing leadership of all faiths and public officials.
“This year we wanted to do something different and chose to break our fast with children of few schools. Co-existence is a “feeling” more than just a thought and we felt sharing this moment with children and their parents would be very special”, said Mr. Siddi Farook, Chairman of Sri Lanka Muslim Civil Society (SLMCS) which was established with the Motto of “Humanity Beyond Religion”.
“Fasting is a spiritual experience and goes beyond hunger. It is a month of reflection and review to help a person improve their character and reconnect with their purpose. It’s a month in which we assess our dealing with each other and identify how we can be better human beings on this earth in the little time we have together,” said Mr. Rizan Nazeer chairman of BFAS Project.
The event organized annually by SLMCS alongside Soup Kitchen, was held last year at Independence Square and served a large audience. This year it attracted children not only from the Vidyawardana Maha Vidyalaya but also those from surrounding schools as well namely Sri Sudarshana Vidyalaya and Vidyaloka Vidyalaya.
“As organizers our deepest desire and prayer is to build a Sri Lanka in which its people co-exist in harmony. Co-existence is not alien to us and has always been rooted within our hearts. Come what may and what has, we need to resolve to unite and do better for ourselves. We can contribute and do justice to our motherland only when we join hands together. We found this happening here today. This is true happiness,” said Mrs. Zarina Akbarally.
A participant at the event Mrs Lekhani Ratnayake, teacher of Sri Sudarshana Vidyalaya said,” this event was beyond our expectation. We loved every moment of it and the way it was organized. We didn’t realize why Muslims fast, but today we understood that its more about sharing and being a better person. That’s what we all want and who we want our children to become. Thank you for having us here. We enjoyed the time together.”
The event witnessed the attendance of Ven. Galkande Dhammaloka Thero of Walpola Rahula Institute, Shk. Muneer Mulaffar, alongside venerable monks representing local Buddhist temples, Mr. Sumeda Wanigasekara -Deputy Director of Education of Battaramulla Zonal Education Office, Mrs. Nadeeka Dilrukshi -Commissioner of Kaduwela MC, Mrs. Chathuri Serasundara Director of Planning Division of Thimbirigasyaya DS Office, ASP Mr. Priyantha Ekanayake, Thalangama OIC Chief Inspector Mr. Roshan Anurudda, Mr. Prema Ranjith Perera, former Opposition eader of Kaduwela MC, Principals and Teachers from Schools under Mealcare for Schools project which is led by SLMCS to name a few.
