Mr: M.V.L.Peries

Mr: M.V.L.Peries (Chair person of Thothanna) Mr.M.Vincent Lerins Peries began his career as a science teacher. As a youth he has been an active member of the Young Christian Workers Movement. As a member of the Christopher Movement he has been an inspiring social catalyst. As a teacher he joined the International Movement of Teacher Teams Dialogue and Cooperation of Teachers and has worked as the full time Asian Coordinator animating the Teacher Teams. Taking the option for the poor together with Revd.Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda and Revd. Sr.Noel Christine pioneered to establish Janawabodha Kendraya to empower the landless and the small fishermen in Negombo to gain their land rights and livelihood rights. Later Mr.Peries established Janodaya Kendraya to work with the squatter communities in Muturajawela and also to empower the women. In these efforts he has gained a wealth of experience in organizing Community Based Organization. Later he joined the Management for Development Foundation - MDF (South Asia) as a trainer and a consultant on Organizational Development. As at present he works as a Free Lance Senior Consultant for various INGOs and NGOs engaged in community empowerment. Mr. Lerins has authored two books, Karunawa, Diriganweema saha Abhiyogaya – Compassion, Encouragement and Challenge and the Ape Bathpatha saha Devarajya – Our Plate of Rice and the Kingdom of God. He has been awarded a “One Men Award” by MIVA –Nederland’s as one who can make difference.