Rev. Basil Jayawardana

In the early 1930s most Christians in Sri Lanka worshipped in established and mainstream churches and their spiritual needs, Christian education and wellbeing were met by these churches. Sadly, some of these churches operated as it were in water tight compartments believing that their modus Operandi was the best or perhaps the only way to reach out in spreading the Gospel. The word 'ecumenism' was never mentioned and, even if it did surface, was not given due recognition as it is today. It was at this point of time that the late Shelton Schokman Snr. had a vision to start a Sunday School that would embrace children of all denominations. With this in mind he approached the Anglican Church, at which he worshipped, with this request, only (and as expected) to be turned down.
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Dematagoda Christian Guild – it’s history in a nutshell