Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa garlanding a portrait of Mrs. Mallika Hewavitarne
On February 27, 1921 a newly inaugurated care home located at the heart of Bambalapitiya opened doors to two
destitute mothers who wished to spend the eve of their lives in a secure and homely atmosphere. This venue, initially named as the Mallika Home for Destitute (now known as the Mallika Home) was a dream come true for Mrs. Mallika Hewavitarne Lama Ethani, mother of Anagarika Dharmapala who spearheaded the Buddhist Renaissance movement in Sri Lanka. This dream became a reality as a result of the Mallika Anatha Nivasa Samithiya founded by her in 1920. A century later, the Mallika Nivasa Samithiya (Society) Ltd., has expanded its operations to not only provide care and protection for elderly women but also for infants, children and teenagers.
A commemorative stamp launched to mark the Centenary Celebration of the Society
The legacy continues
At a time when women were expected to be confined to their homes, without playing any role in society, Mrs. Hewavitarne turned the tides by inaugurating the Home, thereby enabling women to play an important role in colonial Ceylon. This endeavour was also supported by men, particularly her son Dr. C. A Hewavitarne who purchased the land on his behalf of his mother, where the Mallika Home is situated today. The Home thereby commenced its mission to serve poor and destitute elderly women in the country at an era where the welfare of destitute women of impoverished Buddhist families was not a subject of discussion. Today, the Mallika Home is the oldest Buddhist Home for elders in Sri Lanka.
The number of admissions subsequently increased to 37 during the year of its inauguration and therefore new Halls of residence were gradually added to the original building. As such, the Laura De Mel Hall, the Neil Hewavitarne Hall, the Gunasekara Hall and the Anagarika Dharmapala Hall were built in succession over the years. Today, the Home can accommodate up to 90 elders.
"At a time when women were expected to be confined to their homes, without playing any role in society, Mrs. Hewavitarne turned the tides by inaugurating the Home, thereby enabling women to play an important role in colonial Ceylon"
In 1952 the Mallika Nivasa Samithiya was gifted five acres of land in Aniyakanda, Ragama by Sir Ernest De Silva and Lady Evadne De Silva to build an orphanage for boys. Subsequently, the Parakrama Nivasa for Boys opened doors in 1954 and since its inception the Parakrama Child Development Centre has been a safe haven for hundreds of destitute boys between ages 5-18.
Thereafter, the Sneha Child Development Centre was established in 1971 to provide care for abandoned boys and girls below five years of age. This idea was initiated by Mrs. Snehalatha Amarasinghe. With time, a Montessori and a day care Centre was also established at the same premises to provide better facilities for children. These children participate in various events organized by the Society.
Seth Medura, the first paying home of the Society was opened in 1978 thereby providing pleasant and comfortable accommodation for elderly ladies at a very nominal amount. As means of providing further paying accommodation for elderly ladies at a nominal cost, Seth Sevana I and II were eventually inaugurated in 1999 and 2001 respectively. The Mallika Nivasa Samithiya also succeeded in initiating the first dementia care Centre with the support of HelpAge Sri Lanka in 2002.
Amidst various other developments the Society is now in the process of collecting funds to setup its Centenary Building to accommodate dementia patients as well as provide better residential facilities for the elderly mothers.
Throughout the years, meals and medicine for all the homes continue to be supported by generous donors, benefactors and trustees. The society also receives maintenance grants from the Department of Social Services and the Department of Probation and Child Care Services.
A performance by elderly mothers of the Mallika Home
Gratitude to a great lady
At a commemorative event held to mark the centenary celebration of the Society, Ven. Ambulugala Sumangala thera, the Chief Incumbent of Maha Bodhi Agrashrawaka Viharaya, Maligakanda, expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Mallika Hewavitarne while mentioning the Herculean efforts made by her son David Hewavitarne to bring about the Buddhist revivalist movement in Sri Lanka. “Even after a century, the Mallika Nivasa is like a tree sprouting with new shoots. The Mallika Nivasa sits on a land given to Mallika Hewavitarne by her son Charles Hewavitarne, Sri Lanka’s first medical specialist. His financial donation and Mrs. Hewavitarne’s dedication has provided a home for many individuals to spend their lives with much relaxation. Whenever we hear Mallika Hewavitarne’s name we cannot forget Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala. Sri Lanka was dominated by colonial invasions during the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. During this period the Sinhalese and Buddhists weren’t treated well. It was during this time that Mallika and Don Carolis Hewavitarne welcomed the birth of their firstborn David Hewavitarne, who was later known as Anagarika Dharmapala. Dharmapala’s mother was a pillar of strength that encouraged him to bring about a change in colonial Ceylon. He succeeded in establishing the London Buddhist vihara in England at a time when Sri Lanka was still a colony. His mother’s motivation encouraged him to address religious leaders in America. We also cannot forget Mrs. Hewavitarne’s contribution to the Buddha Sasana who took the initiative to print the Tripitaka and other Dhamma books. To serve this purpose the Hewavitarne Trust was initiated by her relatives. As such, she has contributed a yeoman service to the nation, not only by serving the Buddha Sasana but also by giving birth to a great son of this soil.”
Ven. Ambulugala Sumangala thera
Appreciating the livewires behind the endeavor
Gracing the occasion as Guest of Honour, former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya recalled how he has been in contact with the Mallika Nivasa since 1990. “At the time I was serving as the Mayor of Colombo. This Home provides love, care and protection to the elderly mothers. We need to remember Mrs. Mallika Hewavitarne for her efforts to make this endeavor a success. In fact, Dr. Hewavitarne also extended his support. Successive managements have dedicated their time, finances and effort for the progress of this initiative. A piece of land near Visakha Vidyalaya costs around one billion today. This shows that there were generous donors at the time the Mallika Home was inaugurated. Many infants, children and teens showcased their talents today and eventually they will come out in society as good citizens and we appreciate these efforts. There were many other additions to the Mallika Nivasa including the Parakrama Children’s Home. If these children don’t get necessary care and support they will be misled. The infants’ too would have had no future if they were abandoned on the streets. Efforts such as providing residential facilities for elders who can pay a nominal fee to setting up a Centre to care for dementia patient are much appreciated as well. All these have been successful as a result of the capable management. I extend gratitude to everybody who has supported this endeavor throughout the years. We wish that this endeavor moves from strength to strength in years to come.”
The event was also graced by the presence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Prime Minister Rajapaksa presented awards to long-standing members of the Mallika Nivasa Samithiya and a commemorative stamp too was launched to mark the Centenary of the Society. The Society continues on its mission to ‘add life to years’ of destitute women, infants, children and teenagers with love, care and affection.
Pics by Indika Handuwala
Karu Jayasuriya
