For more information on Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, click here:   Ari Biography

· In 1997, as part of a round the world journey that included Russia, Germany, Indonesia and New Zealand, I visited Sri Lanka.  My initial visit was supposed to last two weeks, but was extended to four weeks.
· On my first visit, I had no agenda beyond learning about Sarvodaya and being helpful. My role evolved into advisor to both Ari and his son Vinya, seen as his successor.  I also advised the younger managers and executives who headed various divisions of Sarvodaya.  Sarvodaya had a great need for Western-style management techniques, but ones sensitive to its deeply rich, non-Western culture.  They also needed someone to help them see and articulate the problems that had accumulated within the organization over 40 years.  This included help on seeing the Sri Lanka conflict in a different way.
· At their request, I returned to Sri Lanka for another four weeks, where I assisted with the strategic planning for Sarvodaya as well as continuing my personal advice to Ari and Vinya.  At this visit, my assistance included management training and techniques for the 26 District Coordinators, and continued dialogs with the management team on Sarvodaya in the 21st Century.
· Recent events:  In July of 1999, Vinya Ariyaratne assumed the position of Executive Director of Sarvodaya.  He immediately instituted sweeping changes in the management structure and personnel in the organization.  Vinya’s goal is to transform Sarvodaya into a 21st Century organization, one still aligned on the vision and principles articulated by his father, A. T. Ariyaratne.
· At the same time as the change in leadership, Dr. Ariyaratne instituted a new Peace Initiative, designed to create change in consciousness on the island that will make war impossible.  The first event of the Peace Initiative was a Peace March and Meditation.  They asked for 100,000 people to attend the event; they attracted almost twice that number.  The event was broadcast live throughout the island.
· There is a confluence of ideas, consciousness and spirit that makes Sarvodaya and CWI a great working partnership.  Sarvodaya has the philosophy, size, organization and management structure that can carry out Commonway strategies.  Sri Lanka can become a proving ground for the efficacy of the philosophy of inclusivity.

Sri Lanka is a Third World country.  A significant shift in perspective was required for one to survive and thrive in the environment.

Sri Lanka is in the midst of a civil/ethnic war.  That war is obvious in the number of military checkpoints one encounters.  While the South and East, including the area around Sarvodaya headquarters, is relatively secure, with no obvious fighting going on, team members were each responsible for their own security and were advised to take prudent precautions with their personal safety (traveling in groups, knowing where they are going, precautions about money, etc.).

Basic Costs of Fall Visit:
Through a partnership with the Fetzer Institute and the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS),  Commonway provided a stipend for team members that covered the costs of basic air travel to Sri Lanka, along with personal expenses in route.  Sarvodaya provided room and board and some logistical support while on the island.

Team members understood that the Fall Visit was an opportunity for service and to gain valuable experience in inclusivity and conflict resolution.

Summer  2000 Peace Initiative
This will be planned in conjunction with Sarvodaya leadership.  Tentative plans would include bringing hundreds of Western “peace witnesses” to Sri Lanka for inclusion in the Sarvodaya peace campaigns.  Other plans include helping Sarvodaya build the “field of peace” that will make war impossible.

It is assumed that the Commonway Team members would return to Sri Lanka to work in the Summer 2000 Peace Initiative.