Ishika Lokuge, committee member of Pahansila Urbana-Champaign chapter, met with several of the Pahansila recipients from the Kandy area, on April 19, 2004. The meeting was held at the Senkadagala Bauddha Mandiraya (Kandy Buddhist Center) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mr. H.L.N Perera, the local administrator of Urbana-Champaign chapter coordinated the meeting.

A total of 31 people attended the meeting, including 11 recipients, their guardians, local supervisors, and Mr. Ananda Wijayaratne, Principal of Meegamawatte Siddharta college, where a child is sponsored. The very successful meeting gave the opportunity to meet recipients & guardians in person, resolve any problems they might have encountered and emphasize the importance of maintaining academic and extra-curricular progress for the students. Some of the older recipients (at tertiary level education and advanced-level classes) addressed the group, encouraging the younger students with examples of their experiences. In addition, a few of the younger students, some parents, and the school principal also spoke to the group.  Urbana-Champaign chapter sponsored tea and lunch for the attendees. 

See photos