This year gave me number of shocks up to now. Fr. Thomas Kocherry departed us early May. It was N. D. Koli of NFF, India. Fatumata Diara of Mali both passed away in Ja uary.
Comrade Bala Thampo veteran trade union leader passed away just begin the
month of September.
It gave us deep shock to us once we received the message of Sarath Fernando our "beloved Sarath Aiya's" depart from us.
Thudugala Mudalige Justin Sarath Fernando, founder member of Movement for National Land and Agriculture Reform (MONLAR) was one of my Guru(teacher) in my ssocial activism life. We Work together during the PEFDA the origin of NAFSO in 1993- 1997 periiod. When the CSR decided to disconnect from NAFSO, Sarafh aiya took very firm stand on behalf of NAFSO and personally on me.
Sarath aiya dedicated his whole life dedicated to the future of the environmental agriculture and farmers movement. Our work consolidated at the People's Memorandum during 1993.
We worked together during the debt cancellation campaign in the year 2000. Sarath was instrumental for various social movements in the country. During the time of PEFDA process Sarath was the visionary and worrior. He mediated at the process of Alliance for Protection of National resources and Human Rights (APNRHA) was one of the most vibrant movement uniting all possible forces in to one umbrella.
This was the character of Sarath. He wanted to bring all possible groups into his camp when the battle began. Educate them, challenge them, guide them and lead them. He never expected to challenge his thoughts and never expected to tolerate.
This we all knew who Sarath was and respected. Now Sarath is no more with us. Sarath aiya, we are gratitude to you for all your contributions. We will move forward alone the direction you guided us.
Obata Suba gaman!
0 comments:
Post a Comment