“Please come in. Let’s sit inside,” says Ven. Sigiriye Sumiththa Thero, the Spiritual Advisor and Founder of the Sri Lankan Buddhist Cultural Centre in Hong Kong (SLBCC). “Try some of our Ceylon tea,” he offers with a welcoming smile, “it’s from Sri Lanka.”
The peacefulness of the Ceylon Farm Village in Sheung Shui can be felt the moment you step through the gates, with the centre’s loyal rescue dog, Charcoal, there to greet visitors on arrival. A world away from Hong Kong’s big city lights, the space projects an oasis of calm, surrounded by luscious greenery and birdsong.
For many, this is the heart of the Sri Lankan community in Hong Kong: a place for refuge and rest, a welcome respite from their busy lives in the city. The weekends – Sundays in particular – see the centre at its busiest, as many migrant domestic workers (MDWs) also have their days off.
Hong Kong has about 356,000 MDWs according to the latest Immigration Department data, of which 1,126 are Sri Lankans, making up less than 1 per cent of the total. Filipinos and Indonesians make up the majority of the MDW population, with both communities serviced by their respective consular offices in the city.
Trying to adapt to a different culture and dealing with the language barrier can result in migrants being misunderstood and leave them vulnerable to exploitation
– Ven. Sigiriye Sumiththa Thero
The Honorary Sri Lankan Consulate in Hong Kong and Macao, however, was permanently closed on 31st October 2020, with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing, China taking up the handling of consular enquiries and services. This left the Sri Lankan community in Hong Kong without direct representation in the city or anywhere to approach for urgent help. This is where SLBCC has provided a lifeline.
“We have an office in Kwai Fong where we help our fellow Sri Lankans with passport renewals, contract concerns, or advice about their employment. There are quite a few issues our migrant workers have approached us with; being overworked, underpaid, or even suffering abuse at the hands of their employers,” says Thero. “Trying to adapt to a different culture and dealing with the language barrier can result in migrants being misunderstood and leave them vulnerable to exploitation.”
Thero’s serene yet firm tone, set against the weight of importance of SLBCC’s service to the Sri Lankan community, underlines the many issues that migrants without a consular mission in Hong Kong face. The role of a consulate includes protecting the interests of their citizens temporarily or permanently resident in the host country, issuing passports, issuing visas to foreigners, and public diplomacy. Sri Lankan migrants in Hong Kong who encounter problems with their employment look to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), like SLBCC, or private individuals for help.
Thero has met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka to give updates about the city’s Sri Lankan community and how best to help them. He has also attended meetings with the Legislative Council of Hong Kong to discuss the rights of ethnic minorities. Most importantly, the community has a spiritual advisor and a place they can visit where everyone is welcome, regardless of religious beliefs and political affiliations.
Love does not have a nation or a colour. Love is boundless. It is like the sun, it shines its light on everyone; rich, poor, sad, happy. It does not choose with whom it will share its warmth and light. The world will be much better when we learn how to love everyone with no boundaries, just like the sun
– Ven. Sigiriye Sumiththa Thero
Sinhalese New Year, generally known as Aluth Avurudda (අලුත් අවුරුද්ද), takes place on 13th April this year – it is an important celebration for SLBCC (who will host their main celebration at the Farm Village on Sunday 14th April) and the whole Sri Lankan community. It is a celebration that brings all Sri Lankans together, regardless of their faith, and emphasises the renewal and reaffirmation of goodwill within families and among neighbours. It features a series of ritualistic practices and observances that are meant to revitalise the essential bond between people and nature.
The Ceylon Farm Village is a perfect place to appreciate this bond. With the beautiful gardens featuring about 50 different plants, trees, flowers, and herbs, there is a dazzling amount of diversity on display. Fruits include tamarind, pomegranate, coconut, banana, papaya, passion fruit, ambarella, and many more, while jasmine, lilies, butterfly peas, balloon vine, and sepalikas are just a few of the flowers in bloom. Herbs and vegetables include gotukola, peas, lemongrass, chillies, curry leaves, pumpkin, cinnamon, and thibbatu, to name but a few.
In the middle of the garden is a big structure where the community gather, made the traditional wattle and daub way: with mud and cow dung (from the wild cows of Lantau!), wooden pillars, and a thatched roof. It is perfect for the hot and humid Hong Kong summer and the rainy months, as it keeps cool and well-ventilated.
The outdoor hearth, or dara lipa, is also made in the traditional way. It is where the cooking takes place during the weekends and for other special events. This area also features a man-made pond, with a big statue of Buddha in the middle of this quiet oasis, sat with his tranquil gaze looking out towards the surrounding greenery.
Towards the end of the garden is a bodhi tree, also known as a sacred fig tree. It is the species of tree under which Buddha sat deep in meditation for 49 days until he attained enlightenment (bodhi). It stands as a symbol of profound spiritual awakening; its significance transcends religious boundaries, embodying a universal pursuit of inner peace and enlightenment.
As we sip our Ceylon teas, we ask Thero if he has any message for the community. His answer is all-encompassing and touches on a mission greater than ourselves: “Love does not have a nation or a colour. Love is boundless. It is like the sun, it shines its light on everyone; rich, poor, sad, happy. It does not choose with whom it will share its warmth and light. The world will be much better when we learn how to love everyone with no boundaries, just like the sun.”
CSRHK Winter Battle 2024
Since its inception in December 2016, SLBCC has acted not only as a spiritual centre, but also as a social hub for many Sri Lankans. The centre has hosted and supported many community events, such as the recent Winter Battle 2024, an annual cricket fun day organised by Ceylon Sports and Recreation Hong Kong (CSRHK).
CSRHK cricket team is made up of Sri Lankans from across Hong Kong, so it comes as no surprise hailing from a nation as cricket-mad as Sri Lanka, that the team has been going from strength to strength. Formed around 4 years ago, the team started out playing friendly matches against other local teams from the (equally cricket-obsessed!) Indian, Pakistani, and Nepalese communities. They were subsequently invited to join Cricket Hong Kong’s Challenge League Division 3, from which they were promoted last season, and are now flying high in Division 2 – second place as of the time of writing.
“There are 3,000-4,000 Sri Lankans in Hong Kong overall, and we all love cricket! It’s a perfect way to get the community together,” says Dinusha Nawarathne, a member of the CSRHK team. “When we play league matches, we are going in with a game mind, but today is a different vibe; our families are here, our children are here, we have games and activities for them to take part in and Sri Lankan food for everyone. Today is about the community,” he shares.
Sure enough, on a crisp, sunny Sunday in February, at Gin Drinkers Bay cricket ground in Kwai Fong, the Sri Lankan community spirit is on full display. Upbeat music sets the tone while the men’s match takes place on the field; the kids happily play games on the side lines while others busily prepare lunch. “This event is only for entertainment; we are all playing in the same team, so today’s match is purely for fun,” says Dinusha.
If there is one thing that matches Sri Lanka’s love of cricket, it is their love of food, so once the men’s game is over, it is time for everyone to gather for lunch – an amazing spread of pork, chicken, and potato curries, eggplant salad, tempered cashews, parsley sambal, and more… definitely worthy of a second helping!
The activities continue into the afternoon, with the ladies also taking to the field for the couples’ battle, which is full of fun and laughter for all involved.
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