In addition to the birthday celebrations of Swami held on 23rd November, a special Pooja to commemorate Swami’s 97th birthday was held at the main hall of the Old Kathirasan Kevil, Bambalapitiya, Colombo, Sri Lanka on Saturday the 4th of December 2022. In spite of heavy rains over 100 participants gathered for the Pooja including representatives from all five regions of Sri Lanka, foreign donors, members from all thirty Sai Centres affiliated to Sri Sathya Sai Global Council, Putaparthy and other invitees.
The Pooja began according to Sri Lankan tradition with ceremonial drums and blowing of the conch. This was followed by Omkaram and vadic chants, welcome speech by the central cordinator – Prof Sunanda Degamboda followed. Ms. Nadeesha Rajapaksha gave a beautiful solo Bhajan recital, followed by the guest speaker’s, (Dr. Buvanethranadan Aathavan) speech, Dr. Aathavan, vividly presented his direct experience with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. From the time his admission to the Faculty of Medicine was refused by the UGC to date he encountered Swami’s Divine Grace. The refusal was later reversed and during his professional and personal life Dr. Aathavan’s life and that of many patients were saved by Swami he said. After the Guest speaker a power point presentation of all Seva Activities in Sri Lanka during the year 2022 was presented by SSSOO-GC president Gamini Gunesekera. Sai devotee Priyantha Dasanayake gave a flute recital after the Power Point Presentation. Then began over an hour of Bhajan singing. At the end of the Bhajan singing Oonjal was presented followed by Mangala Arathi. The Vote of thanks was given by Secretary Ayodhya Kannangara and Lastly Prasadam was distributed to all participants of the Pooja. Here are some images from the Pooja.
