Sivathondan Nilayam
Chenkalady
Batticaloa District
Sri Lanka

Phone +94 65 224-0272

Proposal to Save our Heritage

Background

Sivathondan Nilayam in Eastern Sri Lanka was founded in 1964 at Chenkalady in the District of Batticaloa, as per the will of Saint Yoga Swami, the most revered Hindu Saint of Sri Lanka.

Saint Yoga Swami’s disciple Santha Swami (Lord Soulbury) built and administered Sivathondan Nilayam, Batticaloa, from 1964 until 1977. Thereafter Swami Sellathurai has managed Sivathondan Nilayam.

Special Features

Sivathondan Nilayam Batticaloa has been built upon four acres of land that have been well maintained by volunteer members of the Sivathondan Society. Its beautiful landscape and natural environment are ideal setting for meditation and spiritual contemplation through aashrama (spiritual cottage) living.

Tall trees protecting Mother Earth from the heat, tell their own individual stories and have been a lively part of Sivathondan Society. They confirm that man is part of Nature.

The buildings and other facilities include the Main Temple, Meditation Hall, Library and accommodation facilities for Siva Thondars (Servers).

Spiritual activities conducted by Siva Thondars include daily morning and evening prayers, daily meditation, religious education on the basis of Saint Yoga Swami’s teachings, and serving the needy during natural disasters, such as the Tsunami.

From January 2005, Sivathondan Nilayam Batticaloa undertook the care of boys orphaned by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Most of these children come from the Vaharai area which was severely damaged by the Tsunami attack.

Current Needs

Funds are needed to set up a dormitory for the orphaned boys. This is estimated to cost around Rs.300,000.

Sivathondan Nilayam Batticaloa needs to maintain itself and fund its own services. Towards this it is necessary for Sivathondan Nilayam Batticaloa to upgrade the material aspects of its Service and charge affordable customers, a reasonable fee for providing material services. More importantly, Sivathondan Nilayam Batticaloa needs to get compensated for land being currently used by the Government of Sri Lanka, for defence purposes.

Intellectual services provided by Sivathondan Nilayam Batticaloa are currently free of charge, except for books and journals.

Funds are needed to provide meditation facilities at Sivathondan Nilayam Batticaloa and to maintain the orphans currently in the care of Sivathondan Nilayam Batticaloa. It is believed that revenue collected for providing those services would make Sivathondan Nilayam Batticaloa, economically self-sufficient.

Proposal

It is proposed that the dormitory of about a thousand square feet be built for the orphaned boys out of government compensation funds.

It is also proposed that 15 one-roomed (with attached toilets) cottages be built for the use of fee-paying visitors seeking meditation facilities in a tranquil environment. Pure vegetarian food will be provided as part of the centralized services.

The people of Batticaloa are well known for their hospitality and it is believed that through their genuine services they would realize God, as per Yoga Swami’s teachings.

Funding

The capital cost of these projects is estimated to be around Rs. 3,300,000 (Cash Flow Statement is attached). It is expected that the cost of building the cottages would be contributed by members and potential customers, especially those living abroad. The cost of the dormitory is projected to be met out of government compensation for the use of land. Any shortfall would be met through Loans from banks and other sources.

Operating costs are estimated to average Rs. 800,000 p.a.

Proposal prepared by:

Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam
Australian Resource Management Consultant
906/ 56, Carr Street, Coogee N.S.W. 2034, Australia
E-mail gajalakshmi_param@bigpond.com
Phone 61 2 9315 7417

25 September 2005