Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations, took place on the 10th and 11th of February, 2021 at the SIST premises. Students, alumni, faculty members, non-academic staff and many well-wishers joined hands in gathering to witness twenty years of academic excellence. To symbolize the unity represented by SIST’s surroundings, a tree-planting ceremony and a multi-religious program was held.
In the evening of the 10th of February, 2021, the celebrations began with a spiritual Hindu Pooja held by the Pujari of Sri Kaileswaram Temple in Colombo. This worship ritual offered light, flowers and water to the divine in prayer and blessings to begin SIST’s new venture after two decades of success. This was then followed by Catholic, Islamic and Buddhist blessings on the next day, further spiritualizing the future endeavors of SIST.
On the 11th of February, 2021, the event commenced at 9:00am, with a Catholic homily from Reverend Father Chandana Sanjeeva Perera, who spoke about how faith, of all religions, come in handy when running an institute and that staying united can omit the challenges faced and strengthen the responsibility to educate young minds.
Following his teachings accompanied by beautiful hymns, the tree planting ceremony took place. The faculty, alumni and some students had the opportunity to plant at the SIST premises as an act of leaving a mark in stepping forward through this fulfillment. It symbolizes the putting down of roots, longevity and strengths in the twenty outstanding years of SIST, along with many more to come.
In further devoting prayer into our spiritual mind-sets, a beautifully said Islamic teaching was conveyed by Mr. Zaakir Misbah. He spoke about the characteristics of a mirror in manifesting many aspects of our personal reflection yet it not being able to showcase our particular faults to another. Therefore, it offers an accurate, proportional depiction of ourselves, as we are. He went on to say how honesty and sincerity is important in offering advice.
The chairman of SIST, Mr. Jayathan Kulasingham then concluded off the morning sessions with a heartwarming, emotional speech on his struggles and accomplishments on his journey through the past as well as his progression onto making SIST the way it is today! Twenty years of excellence wouldn’t have been achieved without Mr. and Mrs. Kulasingham’s constant work towards success.
The afternoon session began with the Buddhist pirith ceremony, where monks from Sri Jayawardenaramaya temple were escorted into SIST with a parade of cultural drums beating and conch blowing, to commence the devotional practice of meditation and prayers. The ceremonial tradition took place through reflection, chanting and offerings to deepen the appreciation of the Buddha, so to provide a spiritual foundation for SIST’s future.
The lessons of faith learnt through reflection on this day, touched our hearts, minds and souls. May the future of SIST remain a guiding pathway for all those who step out, in many more years to come!