Claudia Ackermann

A Life's Journey from Sri Lanka to Hawaii Claudia Ackermann

Sri Lanka 1983: For the first time, the young German backpacker travels alone to South Asia. In the fishing village of Arugam Bay, she meets the charismatic Tamil Sooriya with whom she bonds in a special relationship. It is a time when civil war begins ravaging the tropical island. Sooriya finds himself increasingly in danger. In a situation tense with political intrigue, they arrange for Sooriya to leave the country. Years later, destiny reunites them. Sooriya is now living in Hawaii where he has become an acclaimed copper artist and the spiritual leader of Mouna Farm Arts and Culture Village. Back in Sri Lanka, he is respected as a holy man. In 2016, Sooriya Kumar got the award of "Living Treasure of Hawaii." In 2017 the Love Peace Harmony Foundation and the United Nations Association of Hawaii honored Sooriya as an "International Peace Builder."