NEW MONASTIC WORKERS
Swami Rajeswarananda and Swami Ajaratmananda who had been posted to Sri Lanka as workers, visited Batticaloa on 30.06 1988. They were received at Valaichenai by the past pupils, devotees and friends. On their way to Batticaloa they were given a warm reception at Vantharumoolai. At the Ramakrishnapuram Junction, Kallady they were taken in procession with school children and devotees lining the route with flags. At almost every entrance to the houses on the way, the Swamis were received with Poornakumbams and were profusely garlanded. The vicinity of the Ashrama exuded a festive atmosphere. On 01.07.1988 the main function in Batticaloa was held at Anaipanthy Ramakrishna Mission Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya and another function at Mariamman Temple, Koddaimunai on 02.07.1988.On their different visits to the south up to Thirukkovil the Swamis were received at more than twenty villages. The Swamis had to walk in procession for miles and hours at the earnest request of the devotees. The enthusiasm displayed may be because, no Swami had arrived as a worker to this Centre for twenty two years.
Swami Rajeswarananda was posted as a worker to the Batticaloa Centre on 01.07.1988.
TRANSITION
The year 1990 had been a very sad year, in that, the Mission had the misfortune of losing two of its stalwarts in close succession, viz., Swami Prematmanandaji, on 7TH April aged 88 and Swami Samprajnananda, on 19th May, aged 71. The former was a disciple of Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj. He served the Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) for 33 long years from 5th September 1954 to July 1987. During his tenure of office the activities of the Mission in Sri Lanka recorded a phenomenal growth.
The latter who succeeded Swami Prematmanandaji as Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) in July 1987 passed away on 19th May 1990. His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka paid him a glowing tribute through the mass media. The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka with several Ministers called at the Ashrama to pay their last respects.
Swami Jivanananda was appointed by the Headquarters as Vice-President, Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) on 01.07.1990.
Swami Atmaghanananda succeeded Swami Jivanananda as Vice-President,Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch) from June 1991.
Srimat Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission was in Batticaloa on a two-day visit . The Swami along with Swami Atmaghanananda arrived in Batticaloa by an Airforce plane on 16th January 1992. He was received at the airport, by Mr. Monogurusamy, Government Agent and members of the reception committee. He reached the Ramakrishna Mission, Ramakrishnapuram at 11.15 a.m. The Swami after worshipping in the Shrine met all those who were waiting to have his Dharshan and blessings. Revered Maharaj was accorded a reception by the public. Everywhere he was received with Poornakumbam. There were a number of banners displayed at intervals welcoming the Swami. He was profusely garlanded by devotees and different organisations.He reached Vivekananda Hall, Anaipanthy, Hospital Road, the venue of the meeting. The Hall was fully packed. Mr. R. Monogurusamy, G.A., presided over the meeting. Students of Vipulananda College of Music and Dance rendered the welcome song. Doctor V. Sivalingam, Registrar of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka presented the address of welcome while Mr. K. Thiyagarajah, S.L.E.A.S., Director of Education, delivered the welcome address. This was followed by a talk by Swami Atmaghanananda. Mr. M. Sivanesarajah, the President of the Batticaloa Young Men’s Hindu Association, then enumerated the activities of the Mission and thanked the Revered Maharaj. The Revered Maharaj then gave a talk befitting the occasion. Mr. R. Nagalingam, Assistant Government Agent proposed the Vote of Thanks. The Swami’s visit to the Centre and his words of advice were encouraging to the monastic workers, devotees and friends to get themselves more involved in the activities of the Mission. At 7.00 p.m. the Maharaj was received at the Boys’ Home. On 17 .01.1992 morning, Swami went to Karaitivu where the Mission has one of its Home for Girls. The Swami was given a rousing reception at the entrance of the village and was conducted in procession to Kannagiamman Temple where he paid his obeisance and from there he went to Ramakrishna Vidyalaya for a meeting. He returned to Kallady – Uppodai for evening Arati. The Maharaj visited the Sarada Girls’ Home and addressed the inmates there. On 18.01.1992 after visiting the Vipulananda College of Music and Dance,he left for Colombo. The visit of Swami Gahanananda was a memorable one, since Batticaloa had the opportunity of welcoming a Swami after a lapse of many years. On his advice the management of the Sri Sarada Early Childhood Care and Education Centre (Nursery School) was taken over by the Mission on 01.04.1992.
Swami Smaranananda, President, Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Madras, was on a 4-day visit from 30.03.1992 to 02.04.1992. He was accompanied by Swami Atmaghanananda and they were received at the Batticaloa Airport by Swami Jivanananda and devotees. That evening the Swami addressed a meeting in connection with the 157th birthday of Sri Ramakrishna Deva at Vipulananda Memorial Hall.
On 31.03.1992 he visited Thirugnanasambandhar Gurukulam, Thambiluvil, 45 miles south of Batticaloa where he gave dharshan to friends and devotees. From there he went to Akkaraipattu where he laid the foundation for the 10-houses project by the Mission. From Akkaraipattu, the Swami visited our Karaitivu Girls’ Home. He gave dharshan to the inmates of the Home, friends and devotees. In the afternoon that day, he gave a talk at the Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Kalmunai where the 157th birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna was being celebrated.
On the morning of 01.04.1992 the Swami visited Vantharamoolai Maha Vidyalaya where he was received with full temple honors. He addressed the school children, there. In the evening he participated in the meeting to mark the 157th birthday of Sri Ramakrishna Deva at Anaipanthy Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya. The Swami distributed prizes to the children who had been successful in the various competitions held to mark the 157th birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna within Batticaloa Municipal limits.
On 02.04.1992 the Swami visited Mangayarkarasiyar Illam, Thamaraikerni and blessed the inmates.