Sarvodaya Development Finance Ltd., a leading financial firm in the forefront of Sri Lanka’s micro finance industry, recently held an aesthetically enriched workshop with international exposure for children at Ape Gama premises at Battaramulla. Renowned Malaysian artist Lim Jee Yuan and Sri Lanka’s veteran artist Deshamanya JayasiriSemage shared their expertise on the subject, giving a one of its kind experience to the young participants.
The program was held under the patronage of Founder and President of Sarvodaya Movement Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne where Chairman of Sarvodaya Development Finance (SDF) Channa de Silva , Director of SDF Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Executive Director of SDF Chaminda Rajakaruna and CEO of SDF Dharmasiri Wickramathilaka also participated.
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| Dr. (Mrs.) Charika Marasinghe, Member of Trustee Board and Child Rights Advisor delivering a speech |
Aiming to provide a platform to nurture budding young artists island-wide, Sarvodaya Finance children’s savings account Pancha spearheaded an All-island Art Competition by the name Pancha Dinana Siththara this year. Held in two phases - regionally and nationally under three age categories (viz. 4 to 6, 7 to 10 and 11 to 14), the art competition received over 1000 applications from all parts of the country, where 150 artworks were curated. These 150 students along with their artworks were convened to Ape Gama premises, where internationally renowned Malaysian Artist Lim Jee Yuan and Sri Lanka’s leading artist Deshamanya Jayasiri Semage further curated nine grand finalists, comprising three final winners for each category. Apart from the 150 finalists and their parents, another 100 children from schools in Colombo district were invited to take part in a special art workshop conducted by Lim Jee Yuan. Joining the workshop, Dr. (Mrs.) Charika Marasinghe - Member of Trustee Board and Child Rights Advisor also delivered an insightful lecture on ‘Child leadership & Child Contribution to the 2st Century’, stressing on the importance of a holistic development to help a child become a full-fledged adult.
At the end all 150 child artists were awarded with certificates of participation as well as attractive school bags. The nine grand finalists were awarded with the respective certificates as well as valuable cash prizes. To mark the iconic event, free Pancha savings passbooks with a deposit of Rs.500/- each were also awarded to 100 students.