The Thanksgiving service of Mrs. Lakshani Fernando was held on Saturday 2nd of December 2017 at 4 pm at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. It was a special service organized to thank God for her Ministry in the Ceylon Bible Society throughout the past 15 years as the General Secretary.
The service was started by singing the School Hymn of Methodist College “Praise My Soul the King of Heaven”.
The welcome speech and prayer was by Mr. Sriyantha Senarathna the President of the Ceylon Bible Society. The Sinhala Bible reading was read by Mrs. Sujatha Madugalle. Most. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo who is also the Vice President of the CBS addressed the gathering. Following the address the choir of Ladies College sang the hymn “Our Father by whose Servants”.
After the hymn Mrs. Vasanthy Rajaratnam the Life Governor of CBS then addressed the gathering. Mrs. Subadharshani John read the Bible in Tamil while Rev. Arun Sok Nhep Ministry Resource Facilitator (Team Leader Asia Pacific) United Bible Societies Global Mission Team gave his greetings on behalf of the United Bible Society.
Due to unexpected whether condition the Girls High School Kandy was unable to be present therefore the congregation sang the hymn “Father, O Hear Us”. This was followed by a speech which was given by one of Bible Society staff member’s daughter Miss. Theersha Edirisooriya. A special song was sung by the staff of the CBS. The English Bible reading was read by Mrs. Shirani Samranayake and Rt. Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey Bishop of Colombo who is also the Patron of the CBS.
Mrs. Lakshani P. Fernando gave her speech and she thanked everyone for the support they gave her during her period as the General Secretary. Mr. Sriyantha Senaratna and Mrs. Murdhu Fernando presented a gift to Mrs. Lakshani Fernando. Mrs. Manique Fernando sang a special song “THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU.” Closing prayer and Benediction was done by Rt. Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey.
