country did accomplish the Mission that Tsunami affected people are empowered to live secure and dignified lives. This empowerment should be sustained and the lessons learnt need to be streamlined for the benefit of all.

Today, I feel happy to welcome the Representative of the Holy See, Our Chief Guest Very Reverend Mons. Muankembe, Charge d’ affaires. Mons. Muankembe has always extended support whenever we seek his assistance in our interventions.
 
Caritas today stands out in rendering service to the people of Sri Lanka. It is because of the continued support and advice given by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka. Timely direction, appropriate decisions and required encouragement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference was a great strength to the growing and learning Caritas. The solidarity expressed by the Church in Sri Lanka to the Tsunami affected Dioceses strengthened the Christian bond further.

 It is my pleasure to welcome whole heartedly Most Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, His Grace the Archbishop of Colombo Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, and all the Bishops who are present here with us today.

I also would like to welcome the Episcopal Vicars, Vicar Generals of different dioceses, Rev. Fathers, Members of the Major religious Superiors’ Conference Rev. Sister and brothers who are present here with us this evening. 

Caritas Sri Lanka is a faith based organization rooting itself in the values of the Bible and being oriented and directed by the Social Teachings of the Church. But it always worked in close collaboration with other religious dignitaries and organizations. It is our pleasure to welcome most Venerable Maha Sangha, Muslim Imams, Hundu Kurukkals and other religious dignitaries who have been our well wishers.

It is also important to recognize the cooperation of the Government of Sri Lanka and its officials starting from His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka, the different ministries, the Government Agents, the Divisional Secretaries and the Grama Sevaks. We experienced always the warmth of these leaders and officials who never turned down our appeal or request. These years had been very sensitive from the security point of view and we had to go through the check points during our implementation and monitoring visits. The Police and the Army personnel were very considerate and we never experienced any undue hardship. This is one of the indications to show that Caritas created its own identity in serving the humanity.

I warmly welcome our guest of Honor, Hon. Lionel Premasiri, the Deputy Minister for social services and social welfare. He is very much known to Caritas in the southern province and extended his support in the implementation of the Tsunami programme. We also have with us Hon. Ministers, Deputy Ministers, the Members of Parliament, political leaders and the government officials and I welcome all of them.

Caritas Sri Lanka achieved good results not merely by our own strength but by the pro-active accompaniment of our International partners who have been the Prime movers of the Tsunami response programme. The professional character of Caritas today is mostly due to their contribution. We had Caritas France (Secours Catholique) as the Facilitating Partner at the national level and Caritas Germany, Caritas Swiss, Caritas USA (CRS), Caritas England and Wales (CAFOD), Caritas Italiana and Caritas Belgium at the Diocesan level playing the role of sub-facilitating partners. I would like to welcome Mr. Henry Jacolin, the President of the International commission of Caritas France and Mr.Aloysius John the Head of Asia Department and other representatives of the various partner Member organizations such as Caritas Ireland (TROCAIRE), Caritas England and Wales (CAFOD), Caritas Belgium, Caritas Luxemburg, Caritas Germany and Caritas USA (CRS) who have taken pain to be present on this occasion.

It is heartening to note that our neighboring country Directors from Nepal, India and Bangladesh and the Caritas Asia Coordinator are also present here honoring the event. I welcome them all.

We have among us the representatives from the Diplomatic Core, various Non-Governmental Organizations, special invitees and distinguished guests and I welcome them all.

I am also privileged to welcome the members of the Bishops’ Task Force and representatives of the International auditors who assisted us for the smooth implementation of the Tsunami Programme.

The Media and the press have been the instruments in building a good image of Caritas among the public through their timely communication of our activities and I welcome all of them to this event.

I also welcome the DC directors, staff and the beneficiary communities who are our primary stake holders and who were our energizers. In a special way I would like to appreciate the Diocesan and National staff who in spite of various hardships sacrificed even their leisure time for the achievement of the above mission. We will move on to achieving greater goals.

It is heartwarming to say that we have accomplished a great Task in the last four and half years and we are grateful to all who have contributed, accompanied, cooperated, challenged and directed. But the journey of sustaining the empowerment of the people will continue.

Continue to be our Partners.

Thank You All !!