Bidding president Watawala proposes plan to serve Buddhists

Prof. Lakshman R Watawala is expected to contest for the post of president at the election of office bearers of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC)  today (Saturday). 

Prof. Watawala was awarded the Honorary Membership (SammanaSamajika) of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) on January 17, 2015 at its 95th anniversary by its President Jagath Sumathipala. He was elected as a Vice President of the ACBC in the year 2018 and became the Chairman of ACBC’s National Council for 
International Affairs. 

His nomination for the Post of President was proposed by Kalasuri Prof. Praneeth Abeyasundera Past President of ACBC.  

As the Chairman of the National Council for International Affairs he conducted the First Buddhist Business Forum 2018 on the theme “Buddhist Leadership Practices in Business”. The theme of the conference focused on the Buddhist Values in Business encompassing Ethics, Buddhist Economics practicing the Middle Path with special reference to the Sigalovada Sutta to achieve maximum well-being for all. 

With the COVID-19 Pandemic which caused considerable damage to the economy and social well-being of Buddhists, the National Council for International Affairs of the ACBC commenced a series of Dhamma programmes on full moon Poya Days to provide courage and strength to Buddhists in Sri Lanka and the World over and to spread the message of Gautama Buddha with the use of the digital technology and Zoom, a web-based video conferencing tool that allows users to meet online, even using mobile phones.

This led to organising of the International Buddhist Conference 2020 on the theme “Buddhism’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic” Organised by ACBC’s National Council for International Affairs on November 7 and 8, 2020 from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm (Sri Lanka Time (IST) via zoom).

He has pledged to dedicate himself to religious and cultural Affairs, social services, child welfare, education, youth activities, membership development, publications, research & international affairs. The matters highlighted in the Buddhist Commission Report will be given the highest priority for its implementation for the Buddhist Society.  

Mr. Watawala has a ten point plan to provide services to Buddhists–

• Conservation and protection of Buddhist archaeological sites and reserves.
• Assistance to temples and Dhamma schools in difficult areas and to low income families.
• Provide Scholarships for needy Buddhist children to undertake school and higher education.
• With the increase in the number of elderly population to provide elderly care and a friendly environment to live in.
• To provide drinking water to needy villages.
• To improve the health condition of those in the rural villages by the conduct of health camps.
• Development of Buddhist cultural affairs and events, Strengthen Buddhist Management and Buddhist Ethics.
• To conduct an annual International Buddhist Conference.
• To alleviate the poverty of Buddhist Families.
• To uplift Buddhist Education started by Henry Steel Olcott.