13-15 January 2025: Sri Lanka's Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement

Neetha Ariyaratne, founding family member of Sri Lanka’s Sarvodaya Shramadana movement, and the congenial spouse of Sarvodaya’s founder, Dr A.T. “Ari” Ariyaratne, has dedicated her life to a peaceful Sri Lankan society.

Here she receives the miniature peace pole in her home in Moratuwa. The simple, warm, inspirational, and welcoming family home of the Ariyaratne family has served for decades as the “heart center” of the Sarvodaya movement. Deeply caring, her words for the world are enshrined in the Buddhist saying “May all beings be happy”.

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15 January 2025: Bradman Weerakoon, eminent Elder Stateman and a “Hero of Humanity” award recipient has served as “chef de cabinet” to six Sri Lankan presidents and prime ministers.

He is widely regarded as one of the country’s most beloved and respected civil servants. Bradman, a role model of “servant leadership” and now in his 94th year, charges the peace pole, in his home in Colombo, with his embodied values of integrity and wisdom, reconciliation and peace.