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COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, February 18, 2004: Indian Spiritual leader, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Ammachi), who is in Colombo on a three-day visit to console thousands of tsunami victims, has pledged to build 300 houses for the tsunami survivors. Ammachi, well-known for showering divine love on everyone equally through her embrace, yesterday arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of the government and would be visiting the worst tsunami-hit areas of Amparai in the Eastern province and Matara in the Southern province to meet tsunami survivors in relief camps. Addressing a press conference upon her arrival at the Ministry of Hindu Affairs, the spiritual leader said that she was tremendously sad to see the present situation in Sri Lanka and has initially pledged US$655,000 to build those 300 houses for the affected people of all ethnic divides. Hindu Affairs Minister K. N. Douglas Devananda was also present at the press conference. “If the circumstances permit I will contribute more money for the affected people in Sri Lanka. These houses would be built in areas recommended by the government of Sri Lanka,” Ammachi said. Ammachi is scheduled to meet President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse before leaving Sri Lanka on Saturday morning.



Asked whether she could predict when Sri Lanka could enjoy peace in full spirit, she said, “we can awaken a person who is sleeping, but cannot awaken a person who is pretending to be sleeping. We should keep trying for peace. Just by feeling sympathy it will not help towards healing it. We should work hard for it,” she said, adding that peace was possible only when spirituality was practiced.

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