Dear friends
We would like to thank you for your active participation and enthusiasm shown at the New Year Party-2008. Please find attached the cash flow for this event. The balance money will be forwarded to the Organizing Committee of the Summer Party-2008.
The organizing committee
Photo Courtesy: Lasantha Ubayasena
Related links:
SaskLanka Avurudu Party 2008 - Harsha's flute performance
SaskLanka Avurudu Party 2008 - Ist Photo Update
The Christmas party: a photo update
Choral Festival 2008
Sinhala Panthiya: New Year Celebration 2008
Photo Courtesy: Saman Abeysekara
A perfect balance
The Power Of One
External Links:
Earth Day
Earth Day Canada-The Canadian Official Site for Earth Day
Celebrate Earth- National Geographic
Celebrate Earth's Animals-National Geographic
Earth Day - A video collection
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year will be celebrated on 12th and 13th of this month. Following are the auspicious times pertaining to the New Year celebrations:
Bath for the old Year: Saturday the 12th before New Year dawns with herbs mixed in water.
Dawn of the New Year: Sunday April 13th at 6.29 am.
Punya Kaalaya: Between 12.05 pm and 12.53 pm on Sunday April 13th is the time for prayer and retreat and therefore all partaking of meals and work must cease in preparation for the New Year.
Lighting of the hearth: Sunday 13th at 6.54 pm, dressed in New Year colours of red and gold the first meal.
Partaking of the first meal for the New Year: dressed in red and gold shades on Sunday April 13th at 8.10 pm.
Anointing of oil: Wednesday 16th at 7.42 am.
Auspicious time to set off for work: Wednesday 16th April, at 6.20 am.
(source: news.lk)
External Link: Divaina Auspicious times (sinhala)
Obituary
Dear Friends
Our friend, Mibe, left for Sri Lanka this morning to attend his Bappa's funeral (father's brother). Let us all pass him our deepest sympathy and condolences at this difficult time.
Even though we haven't done this in the past, we feel that,if we can help him financially in a little way at this difficult time, it will greatly help to relieve him a bit. As we understood his Bappa was a kind of his guardian and Mibe had a deep emotional connection to him.
So......if you like to contribute even in a small manner, please contact Saman, Thushan or Priyashantha. We kindly appreciate your understanding and support. (Please let us know your position. We will be glad about any of your comments, suggestions or criticisms).
Thanks and have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Saman, Thushan and Priyashantha.
Idha nandati pecca nandati – katapuňňo ubhayattha nandatiPuňňam me katan ti nandati – bhiyyo nandati suggatim gato
"The man who performs good deeds is happy in this world and the next. He is happy in both worlds. He feels happy at the thought: “Good have I done”. He will be the happier when born in a blissful state ( Dhammapada, Yamaka Vagga : 18)."
Date: April 12 th at 5.00 p.m.
Place:Calgary
Contacts:Lionel & Manohari Gunawardhana
139 Hawkview Manor Circle NW,
Calgary,
AB T3G 2Z8,
CANADA.
(T) +1 (403) 282-1874
(F) +1 (403) 282-1840
lionelgu@shaw.ca
Dear friends,
We have tentatively scheduled a date for Saskatoon-Sri Lankan (our) community ‘Sinhala and Tamil New Year Party 2008’.
Date: Saturday 26th of April.
This date could be changed if it is not convenient for most of you. For making such changes, your early reply (at least within a week from today) is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Chandima & Harsha, Saman & Sujeema, Nalinda & Kishari, and Keerthi & Shyamalee.
By Gnanaseeli
Please find out more details and new schedule for the information sessions on Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
By Margaret Leighton
In the summer of 2007, I traveled to Sri Lanka as a volunteer with the student-run NGO Sri Lankan Aid, bringing relief to remote areas of the Island. In many regions devastated by the 2004 tsunami, reconstruction has been slow or non-existent due to the ongoing civil war. A small group of students who are motivated to make change for a better world, Sri Lankan Aid volunteers travel to areas larger groups often do not reach. We rebuild schools, bring donations of medical equipment, and strive to work in partnership with local communities to meet their urgent basic needs. Deeply moved by my experiences last summer, I will be returning to Sri Lanka in February to develop further programs in these areas.
A small group with a small budget, we depend on donations. The funds raised at this dinner go directly towards projects in Sri Lanka. The dinner will feature 5-star food, and will include a presentation about Sri Lankan Aid. Seats are by tax-deductible donation: we encourage all to give until they feel comfortable, but suggests a minimum contribution of $60. Please make reservations by January 15, at 665-6074, or m.leighton@gmail.com.
When: Saturday, January 19, 2008: 6:00 PM
Where: 213 2nd Avenue East (Unitarian Church)
THANK YOU for your SUPPORT!
External Links:
www.srilankanaid.com
www.srilankanaid.com/leap
No More Tears Sister
Cecil's Journey
Blood and Water
2nd Lead
Unprocessed photos from the Saskatoon Sri Lankan Cristmas party 2007.
Through the courtesy of Lasantha Ubayasena
If you want to stop auto play, just move cursor on to the player and stop the auto-run and play manually.
Go to web album:
 |
| Saskatoon Sri Lankan Christmas Party 2007 |
Go to Web Album;
 |
| Xmass 2007-II |
2nd LEAD
By Lal Samarasekera
Dear Friends:
Ven Upatissa (form Montreal) is coming to Saskatoon on the 27th of December 2007, and leaving Saskatoon on the 28th, the next day.
Here is his schedule:
27th
Arrival: 9:30am
Daval Dana at Lal's
Evening at Lal's
28th
Heela Dana at Harsha/Chandima and Thushan/Chammi
Daval Dana at Saman/Sujima
Departure 7:30 pm
Everyone is cordially invited to any and all events.
Please do feel free to forward this email to anyone you might think would be interested.
Season's Greetings !
By Christmas Party Organizing Committee
We would like to remind you that our Christmas Party will be held on coming Saturday.
• Date - 22nd of December, 2007
• Staring Time - 5:00 p.m.
• Place - St. Luke Elementary School Gymnasium, 275 Emmeline
Road (Lakeridge Community)
• Contributing Amount - $10.00 per family & $5.00 per individual
In addition to dishes assigned, please bring a “POP” bottle for you. And pls bring a Christmas “GIFT” for your little; spend no more than about $10 per child. Since we are on a tight schedule, Your punctuality will be important for success of our event.
Further Information
(01)Download Aenda
(02)X-mass songs
(03)Event
(04)Direction:
View Larger Map
Hope to see you all there!
(2nd Lead)
SaskLanka community would extend a warm e-welcome to the new comer, Ushan Alahakoon, to the rapid growing Saskatoon Sri Lankan community. Ushan is a new graduate student in Dept of Biology/AAFC and he did his undergraduate studies at the University of Peradeniya and graduated in 2005.
As Mr Lal Samarasekara mentioned earlier, He has come to an empty apartment, so anyone who has kitchen utilities, furniture, household items and other necessities pls let him (ushanalahakoon@yahoo.com) know or Mr Samarasekara (lal.s@usask.ca).
Quick links for Ushan
U of S
U of S - map
Saskatoon city map
Saskatoon city
Saskatoon weather
Blizzard 2007
We cherish too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
Moina Michael (1869-1944)
Honoring with you the quiet heroes
On Remembrance Day!
Diwali or Deepwali is a festival of lights. Deepavali is the biggest festival celebrated in the Hindu/Tamil calendar. Deepavali is a time of joy, happiness and a time to come close. This diwali come close to your near and dear ones and celebrate the day with full vigor. we wish everybody a Happy Deepavali . May this Deepavali bring prosperity, peace , happiness and good health to you and your family.
External Links
Diwali
Deepavali - The Festival of Light
Deepavali - Kadhal Vaithu
Halloween is approaching, and the smiling Jack O' Lanterns are back again to light you up! Carve out a scary jack-o-lantern, Go door to door on Halloween to Trick and Treat.
Wish you a safe and very Happy Halloween 2007
Previous articles:
October 24, 2007 This is Halloween
External Links:
The History of Halloween
Halloween-Wikipedia
By X-mass party working group
First dancing training session for upcoming X-mass party will be started on coming Tuesday and Wednesday (30 & 31st Oct -2007) at Kosala’s house (at 5.30 pm). Girls who wish to dance please show up those two days.
Since we are unable to get Souris hall this time due to the university restrictions, organizing committee looking for volunteers who willing to give their basements for the training sessions for the upcoming festivity. Volunteers pls contact the organizers before November first.
Time schedule for preparatory events in music, dance and other items will be announced soon. . .
How much do you know about the spooky holiday of Halloween?
(1st Announcement)
By Indunil, Navarathne , Oliver & Thushan
The Christmas Celebration of Saskatoon Sri Lankan community will be held on December 22 (Saturday) 2007 at St. Luke Elementary School Gymnasium (275 Emmeline Road, Lakeridge Community).
Continue reading "The Saskatoon Sri Lankan Christmas Gala December 22" »
We extend a warm e-welcome to the new comers, Kumari’s mother, Nandana Galkaduwa, Vasantha Athauda, Kosalee and Chethiya to the growing Saskatoon Sri Lankan community. It will be a great pleasure to be with you. As a strong united community we have large number of communal and cultural events in our society so you are invited to join these activities in our dynamic cluster.
Saskatoon Sri Lankan Community
Ps. You can post your personal greetings in “comments”
The simple meaning of 'Thanksgiving' is the expression of gratitude and the giving of thanks at the conclusion of the harvest season. The Thanks Giving Day is simply directed towards the Almighty. So we wish you a warm Thanksgiving Day. ... Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Webblogger
We extend a warm e-welcome to Coorey and his family to the growing Saskatoon Sri Lankan community. It will be a great joy and privilege to be with you. As a Sri Lankan community we have plenty of social and hands on activities and eventually you are invited to join those functions in our dynamic community.
Saskatoon Sri Lankan Community
Ps. Post your personal greetings in “comments”
By Saman Abeysekara
Rev. Upatissa Thero indicated that he found many people in Saskatoon Sri Lankan Community were cordial, generous and also blessed with past merits.
In the midst of Rev. Upatissa Thero’s precious blessings, I sincerely express my heart-felt thanks to those who volunteered for providing accommodation (by Priyashantha), and offering Dana (by Kosala, Ananda, Dharmasena and Lasantha), and to those who participated in these activities in many ways to use this rare noble opportunity for spiritual and eternal delight.
With metta,
Saman Abeysekara.
By Saman Abeysekara
You will be kindly invited to take part in any of following activities. This schedule was based on the quick response from our community for their kind and generous involvement. Danaya (meal-offering) occasions were allocated to our friends on ‘first comes first serves basis’. If you are willing to take part in any of these meal-offering-occasions please contact the relevant organizer (Saman, Kosala, Ananda, Dharmasena or Lasantha). If you are willing to have more activities during Rev. Upathissa Thero’s short visit, or any activity in your home please contact Saman.
With metta,
Saman Abeysekara.
By Saman Abeysekara
Dear friends,
It is a pleasure to inform you that Rev. Dickwelle Upatissa Thero (Montreal Hamuduruwo) will come again to Saskatoon for a short visit on Saturday 22. We will be fortunate to have some religious activities during his stay here. Further information on these activities will be notified in our (Saskatoon-Sri Lankan) web bog.
Saman.
awasabeysekara@hotmail.com
By Xuan Vo
(On behalf of the Board of Directors)
We wish to invite you and your family to participate in The Buddhist Ullambana Day ( considered by our traditional as the Buddhist Remembrance of Parents Day or the Vu-Lan Festival ) and the Official Laystone ( for building a New Chanh Tam Temple ) Ceremonies at
- 10:30 AM on Sunday September 09, 2007,
- Chanh Tam Temple, 229 Avenue Y South, Saskatoon.
A vegetarian luncheon will be served after ceremonies.
Your presence will be a great honor for us and we look forward in seeing you at our temple.
Contacts: Phone: 653 - 1049, Email : xuan.vo@usask.ca
Another cute and cuddly baby boy, has come to,
fill GEMUNU, DUSHMANTHI, & AMAYA's lives, with joy and bliss !
Congratulations ! GEMUNU, DUSHMANTHI, & AMAYA
From Saskatoon-Sri Lankan Community
PS. You can post your warm wishes greetings on "comments"
No need to fill URL address, leave it
Listening to maestro Victor Ratnayake is always so refreshing. You listen to him over recorded media or online everyday. But now you have chance to listen to him at a live concert in Calgary. One never tires of listening to him. Never miss such a rare chance.
Please support this event to become a great success.
Details:
The price of tickets are as follows.
$ 60/= for adults and children
$ 40/ = for adults, $ 25/= for children (5-12 years).
further Information
Sa Flyer
Sa Seating plan of Leacock Theatre
Contacts:
Lionel Gunawardhana <lionelgu@shaw.ca>
139 Hawkview Manor Circle NW,
Calgary,
AB T3G 2Z8,
CANADA.
(Home phone) +1 (403) 282-1874
(Home fax) +1 (403) 282-1840
(Work phone) +1 (403) 716-3290
O great King! the birds of the air and the beasts on the earth have an equal right to live and move about in any part of this land as thou. The land belongs to the people and all other beings and thou art only the guardian of it.
Arhat Mahinda, who brought Theravada Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 246 BCE
Poson Festival, June 30th (2007) in Sri Lanka
The Poson Festival commemorates the anniversary of the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
"HAPPY POSON !"
Welcome to the summer of fun. . it’s time to party!
Organizing committee cordially invite Saskatoon Sri Lanka Community for the summer party.
WHEN : 11th, August
LOCATION : Forestry farm
get directions,
Organizing Committee
Himal Jayathilaka
jayatilaka@lycose.com
Chandima Kudalugoda
ckudalug@gmail.com
Sumith Priyashantha
s.priyashantha@sasktel.net
Kosala Rajapakasha
wrakjsrajapaksha@yahoo.com
By Shanthi Yogeeswaran
Pushpanjali India school of dance and music is proud to present its 2nd Annual Recital on May 26th 2007 at the Castle Theatre, Aden Bowman Collegiate. There will be performances of both classical and folk dance forms being performed by the students.
Read details on poster....
By Xuan Vo.
We would like to invite you and your family to join with us for The Buddha's Birthday Celebration. Please see attachment.
Thank you very much.
By Priyashantha and Kosala
This is a follow up to our previous message asking for your generous donations to the Vietnam Buddhist Temple.
Our donations to the temple will be a true expression of our heartfelt gratitude for the kind gesture extended by Vietnamese community and for the opportunity we had in the past to use this temple. We, as a community, should consider this as our obligation to contribute for the betterment of the Buddhist temple and to finance its programmes and operations. Therefore we encourage you to donate to the maximum you can.
As planned, we are going to collect your donations on 28th April at the New Year party. In the case of contribution by cheque, please write to; Chanh Tam Buddhist Congregation Saskatoon Inc. 229 Avenue Y South, Saskatoon, SK. S7M 3J4 Canada. If you need a receipt to your name for income tax purpose, we can make arrangement for that as well.
Thanks
A Blessed and Happy Easter to you all !
Here is Martin Luther's magnificent Easter hymn: Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands.
Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
For our offenses given;
But now at God’s right hand He stands
And brings us life from heaven.
Therefore let us joyful be
And sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of alleluia!
Alleluia!
No son of man could conquer death,
Such ruin sin had wrought us.
No innocence was found on earth,
And therefore death had brought us
Into bondage from of old
And ever grew more strong and bold
And held us as its captive.
Alleluia!
Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down,
His people to deliver;
Destroying sin, He took the crown
From Death’s pale brow forever:
Stripped of pow’r, no more he reigns;
An empty form alone remains;
His sting is lost forever.
Alleluia!
It was a strange and dreadful strife
When life and death contended;
The victory remained with life,
The reign of death was ended.
Holy Scripture plainly saith
That death is swallowed up by death,
Its sting is lost forever.
Alleluia!
Here the true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursèd tree—
So strong His love—to save us.
See, His blood now marks our door;
Faith points to it; death passes o’er,
And Satan cannot harm us.
Alleluia!
So let us keep the festival
To which the Lord invites us;
Christ is Himself the joy of all,
The sun that warms and light us.
Now His grace to us imparts
Eternal sunshine to our hearts;
The night of sin is ended.
Alleluia!
Then let us feast this Easter Day
On Christ, the bread of heaven;
The Word of grace has purged away
The old and evil leaven.
Christ alone our souls will feed;
He is our meat and drink indeed;
Faith lives upon no other!
Alleluia!
Allied Links
"Daham Sisila"
Presentation (Vatican)
Meditations composed by Msgr. Gianfranco Ravasi (Vatican)
Beauty and the Beast: Sri Lankan style
On Saturday, April 7, a University of Calgary instructor, two PhD students and one Master’s student will take part in Kusa-Paba, the first classical Sri Lankan drama to be produced in Calgary.
Nishad Wijesekara, a PhD student in the Department of Geomatics Engineering, is the music coordinator for the production. This is the first time Wijesekara, 31, has been involved in a drama production and he says he is eager to see the whole thing come together.
Read more...
Featured article on Daily News
Seat Reservation
By Xuan Vo.
Dear Buddhist Followers in the Sri Lankan Buddhist Community in Saskatoon,
I am Xuan Vo and writing this message on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Chanh Tam Buddhist Congregation in Saskatoon (Vietnam Buddhist Temple) and the Venerable Thich Nu Hien Lien, the Resident Buddhist Nun of the Chanh Tam Temple.
Our Congregation has decided to build a new Chanh Tam Temple in the coming fall. The new temple is still at the same location. A fund raising campaign for this purpose was kicked off on August 28th, 2006.
Continue reading "Donation for New Vietnamese Buddhist Temple in Saskatoon" »
By Sumith Priyashantha
Thank you so much for your generous donations for the charity work we initiated in December 2006. Thanks to your generous contribution, we, support two people from our country. I have included all the details below. I would like to pass my special thanks to Dr Jane Elliott, National Hydrology Research Center.
Total Contribution = 303 CAD.
Money being spent for Charity.
| Receiver | Amount per Month (Rs) | Number of Months (Rs) | Total (Rs) | Total ($) | Remarks |
||
| Wayalet - Nakiyadeniya | 600 | 12 | 7200 | 79 | 70, year old, Very Poor, For monthly prescription drug |
||
| Ms. Sujeewa - University of Peradeniya | 1000 | 36 | 36000 | 396 | Medical Student/ University of Peradeniya, From a very poor family |
||
| Total | 475 | ||||||
“A noble giver is one who is happy before, during and after giving. Before giving he is happy anticipating the opportunity to exercise his generosity. While giving he is happy that he is making another happy by fulfilling a need. After giving he is satisfied that he has done a good deed”. - The Lord Buddha
If you have any concern, please feel free to contact me @ 668 4463 or s.priyashantha@sasktel.net Thank You all.
