Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, Founder of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Passes Away at 92

Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, the well-known founder of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 92 after a brief illness at a private hospital. His funeral will be held with state honors at Independence Square in Colombo on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Ariyaratne was often called the 'Gandhi of Sri Lanka' for his extraordinary grassroots mobilization campaigns for people and development, combining the teachings of both Mahatma Gandhi and the Buddha. His impact has been far-reaching, inspiring leaders of community-led development movements around the world that have awakened hundreds of millions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to their dignity and self-reliance.

The remains of Dr. Ariyaratne will lie at the Sarvodaya Headquarters in Moratuwa from April 17 until 12 noon on Saturday before being taken to the Independence Square for the final rites. Many religious leaders, political leaders, and intellectuals paid their final respects to Dr. Ariyaratne at the Sarvodaya Headquarters.

Why this matters: The passing of Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne marks the end of an era for the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement and grassroots development in Sri Lanka and beyond. His legacy as a visionary leader and social activist will continue to inspire generations to come in the pursuit of self-reliance and community empowerment.

Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne dedicated his life to promoting self-reliance and community empowerment through the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, which he founded in 1958. The movement has been working tirelessly for decades to uplift communities in Sri Lanka and has served as a model for similar initiatives worldwide. As preparations are underway to bid farewell to Dr. Ariyaratne with full state honors, his legacy as a pioneering social activist and the 'Gandhi of Sri Lanka' will be remembered and celebrated by the countless lives he touched and the communities he helped transform.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, founder of Sarvodaya Movement, passed away at 92.
• Funeral with state honors on April 20, 2024 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Ariyaratne was called the 'Gandhi of Sri Lanka' for grassroots mobilization.
• His legacy inspired community-led development movements worldwide.
• Sarvodaya Movement promoted self-reliance and community empowerment.