'Sudu Amma' - the German philanthropist

By Nirmala Samarasinghe

(September 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Amarapura Saddharma Yukthika (Matara) Maha Nikaya with the consent of its Karaka Sangha Sabha conferred the honorary title 'Sri Lanka Samaja Seva Shiromani' on Waltrand Katharina Klett, a German philanthropist recently at a ceremony held at Purvarama Viharaya, Purvarama Place, Colombo 12.

This ceremony was chaired by the Ven. Agga Maha Panditha Davuldena Gananissara Maha Nayake thera of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya. Ven. Rekawa Gunasiri Maha Nayake thera of Amarapura Sri Saddharma Yukthika (Matara) Maha Nikaya, Ven. Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Anu-Nayake thera, Kotte Chapter of Shiyamopali Maha Nikaya, Ven. Brahmanawatte Seevali Anu-Nayake thera, Ven. Professor Ittademaliye Indasara Maha thera, Mahopadyaya of Sri Lanka Buddhist and Pali University, Ven. Madoluwawe Sobitha Nayake thera, Ven. Professor Kandegoda Wimaladharma thera, Ven. Kotugoda Dhammavasa Anu-Nayake thera and Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Maha thera, Viharadhipathy, Purvarama Viharaya and Principal, Buddhist and Pali College of Singapore were present among other members of the Maha Sangha.

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Professor Daya Edirisinghe of Kelaniya University and Colombo District Secretary, G. A. J. Sylvester were also present. The Sannasa depicting the title was presented to her by the two Ministers who were present.

Having come to Sri Lanka 17 years ago in 1992 with her husband, Werner Ruppert Klett, a travel agent by profession to spend a vacation, she was fascinated by the beauty of the country and exemplary qualities of its people. She was lucky to meet Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Maha thera at Purvarama Viharaya at Dias Place, Colombo 12 and many other learned members of the Maha Sangha at various Viharayas in the country and attracted towards the teachings of the Buddha. Then onwards it was travelling between the two countries and her present visit to Sri Lanka is the 35th. She inaugurated the Sri Lankan-German Fellowship in 2005.

Before each visit to Sri Lanka she plans earlier and collect items to be distributed among the poor in Sri Lanka. She was brought thousands of pairs of spectacles, crutches, wheel-chairs and hearing aids etc.

Having heard about the devastation occurred to Sri Lanka by tsunami, she telephoned Ven. Pategama Anuruddha thera and inquired about it and offered her assistance. She has written to newspapers in Germany and informed her friends and their help was sought.

Money was flowing to her and she was sent approximately one million rupees to Sri Lanka. Ven. Anuruddha thera with Dayakayas of the Viharaya and with other Bhikkus visited tsunami hit areas up to Hambantota in Southern Province and up to Panama and Arugam Bay in Eastern Province distributing food, medicine, clothing and other necessary items for the displaced families.

Even though she was keen to send more money, Ven. Anuruddha thera has drawn her attention on the necessity of providing shelter and fostering children whose parents were lost in the tsunami. She had discussions with her friends in Germany and informed Ven. Anuruddha thera of her willingness to inaugurate an orphanage for children.

On May 22, 2005 Isura Children's Home was inaugurated with seven children at 304/2, Dickwela Road, Siyambalape by utilising an initial sum of Rupees fifty lakhs sent by Mrs. Klett.

Another 60 lakhs of rupees were sent by her and a two storeyed building was constructed within 7 months.

On August 11, 2007 she made her 29th visit to the island. On August 22 this building was opened admitting with another 13 children. I was privileged to participate in the opening ceremony.

Ven. Pategama Anuruddha thera as Director of Isura Children's Home oversees the management of this institution while G. K. Pathirana, as Manager carried our day to day activities efficiently.

The inmates of the children's home seem to lead very happy lives.

On a request made by me on behalf of Old Anandians' Kegalle District Association to Sri Lankan-German Fellowship, she along with Ven. Pategama Anuruddha thera, its Director and G. K. Pathirana travelled to my home-town Dedigama and distributed valuable pairs of spectacles to the needy at Dedigama Raja Maha Viharaya. She has distributed thousands of pairs of spectacles in Balapitiya, Kurunegala, Aukana, Delgoda, Kandy and Matugama areas. She adopts a Sri Lankan child Sasitha from 1997 who is schooling in Germany. She is 'Sudu-Amma' for the children of Isuru Lama Niwasaya and Akka or Nangi for others.

-Sri Lanka Guardian