Visitors for Avurudu – Where is my Kokis?

After settling down at the new office premise in Borella SLU with the idea of promoting the simple message of Togetherness celebrated Sinhala and Tamil Avurudu in an Epic fashion last Tuesday. As the Koel Sound defines Avurudu undoubtedly the next best thing is to exercise the Traditional “Kiri Ithireema” .

After the pleasantries the SLU team indulged themselves with the yummy food brought by the Team, True colours were shown by the Team when the food was introduced to the table, where every single Team member proved that they are True Sri Lankans as they finished most of the food served on the table, But somehow managed to keep some for our visitors who were scheduled to visit the SLU family in the evening. I have to mention that from all the food served Thevuni’s Kokis was a hit!

Then just before noon the Team headed for a cultural exchange program with few Japanese delegates from an organization called “The peace boat”.  800 Japanese delegates were taken in this peace boat program where they are exposed to different cultures and exercises during their one month stay in the Ship which we managed to visit later-on.  Around 50 delegates were introduced to the SLU team where the team was more than happy to get involved in this cultural exchange program to make new foreign friends for a change.

Making of Origami, wearing the traditional Kimono, Writing names using Japanese letters were some of the activities conducted by the Delegates whereas the team SLU conducted few interactive games and had a sing-along session with the Sinhalese hit song “Surangani”

Lunch was served with traditional Sri Lankan food where the Delegates were asked to use their fingers to mix the rice and to consume. Regardless of consumption of food using fingers the lunch hour became almost two when the Japanese struggled to manage although they were thrilled to be exposed to the unorthodox traditions and ways also enjoyed the change with the process. Therein after they were brought to the SLU office and the SLU team made an offering they couldn't refuse with Avurudu Food and King coconut water which they consumed delightfully without any refusal.

Finally the Long day ended with an hour in the Ship where the team was escorted for a field trip around the ship which was an exciting end for the day.  For most of the SLU team members it was definitely the best way to celebrate Avurudu. Even for me, couldn't have done it any better.

A Drop of Water to Wash Away Tears

A joint project by the Royal International School of Kurunegala and St Patricks College of Jaffna

Catering to the aims and objectives of the program Champion of Change, the Royal International School of Kurunegala and St Patricks College of Jaffna jointly embarked upon a project called A Drop of Water to Wash Away Tear. It involved providing water supply to a school and other necessary school accessories to the students. But a fundamental aim of the project was to forge understanding and friendship between the two communities that have long been fractured by the decades of war. More importantly, it aimed to contest misconceptions and prejudices that have been long nourished by lack of sufficient communication and interaction.

The initial idea to pursue this project was conceived at a mentoring weekend, which provided valuable information on issues such as leadership, project planning, project documentation, and financial management. Within a limited time, the students of the relevant schools had to select their co-partnering schools and had, through vibrant exchange of ideas, to mutually decide upon a project. Priorities were given to areas affected by the conflict and to people under-privileged. To prevent a further possible turmoil, it was necessary that misperceptions be corrected and communities be linked through communication and mutual understanding. Considering these facts, the Patricians decided upon a school in Kumulamumai situated in border of the Kilinochchi district.

After collecting sufficient information about the school, some problems identified include the lack of sufficient teachers, lack of electricity, lack of water supply, lack of library, and the economically instable family background to afford the necessary stationeries of schooling. The school itself and the students themselves were affected by the war. Whereas the school had been occupied by the sea tigers, most students have lost their parents and sheltering homes. For 138 students studying in grades 1-9, there were only 6 teachers including the principal and a volunteer.

The objectives not only involved providing material needs such as water supply and school accessories for the students, but also achieving fundamental goals: contesting misperceptions and building team work and leadership qualities. It is broadly about capacity building and conflict reconciliation.

The actual event would unveil lots of excitement and fun, but before that raising funds appeared equally dramatic. The team from Royal international school got the whole school involved in this and all the school students contributed their parts by donating the necessary items. At the Royal International School, a movie fiesta produced Rs. 30,000. Notable donations include Rs 7,000 by Mr. D. Arunachelum to the Patricians and Rs. 4,000 from by Rotary Club of Melsipura to the SLU Team at Royal International School.

Finally, the event arrived. The principal was waiting for their arrival. The initial steps involved forging friendship and cultural understanding. There were games and stage performances, after which the children were handed over with the gifts packed for them. The children left, so did the Patricians. The Royalists got the necessary equipments ready and got onto field.

Three of the villagers, intent on the comfort and welfare of their children, helped them with the work. At about lunch time, they were unexpectedly served lunch by four to five women from the village. The boys deeply were deeply inspired by the warm hearts of these women, for they were preparing meals which they could hardly afford for themselves.

The work resumed after lunch. The stand was ready, the tank ready, and high was the excitement. But there was this dramatic moment where the motor did not work and it cooled everyone’s excitement. The boys did not want to give up. The principle found a new motor. There was sound of water splashing onto the tank. Joy and excitement spurted into smiles on children’s faces. It looked a “water festival.”

The impact of the project was twofold. Firstly it not only washed away the tears but filled some vacant hearts.  Secondly, it fostered friendship and cooperation among the two partnering school students, who themselves come from two ethnic communities. It helped them to understand how they can build and promote their capacities and contribute to the future of the country. Overall, the success of the project contested misperceptions and proved even that differences of language is not a barrier in proper human interaction.

Endowment of Library Books and School Material

A joint project by the Royal College of Moneragala and Saraswathi Tamil Vidyalaya of Nuwera Eliya

The Sri Lanka Unites Chapter members of Royal College, Monaragala implemented their CoC(Champions of Change) project by donating library books and school material to Saraswathie Tamil Vidyalaya. The project was conceived during a reconciliation and leadership promotion programme organised by Sri Lanka Unites, titled ‘Solidarity of Two Hearts’.

In addition to fulfilling a long felt need of the beneficiary, the project aimed at building interrelationships between the schools involved and promoting greater understanding between the two ethnic groups, Sinhala and Tamil by exchanging ideas as well as traditions and customs.

The whole project spanned over five months during which the SLU Chapter members collected funds from the local community, selected and purchased reading material and delivered the material to Saraswathie Vidyalaya, a school which has students from grades one to nine, with very little resources in their library. Books worth LKR 11,910 were donated on August 2, 2012, which included several dictionaries, Sinhala learning material and classics such as Oliver Twist, Tale of Two Cities and Jane Eyre etc.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from the Principal of Saraswathie Tamil Vidyalaya and a number of performances by the students. The speeches made at the event highlighted and appreciated the worthy contributions made by SLU Chapter members of the Royal College for reconciliation and a united Sri Lanka.

Reaching Saraswathie Vidyalaya proved to be a herculean task as it was situated on a remote hill called G’elon, where the British had established rubber estates. The local community consisted of the descendants of the workers who used to work in these estates. These difficulties apart, the students were truly able to achieve their goals by helping out their fellow students at Saraswathie Vidyalaya. It was a novel experience for the SLU Chapter members of Royal College who came from a predominantly Sinhala speaking school to interact with a Tamil speaking community as well as an excellent opportunity to develop leadership skills.

Sri Lanka Unites Team Retreat 2013

Amidst a busy schedule a very important event of the SLU calendar was held last month, the Sri Lanka Unites Team Retreat 2013 was held at Ape Kedella, Puttalam. Ways to improve the infrastructure of SLU as well as strategies to achieve the primary objectives and goals of SLU departments was discussed in detail all throughout this event. On the first day of the three day event the team members of the SLU team were assigned to the respective departments considering their field of work. The second day kicked off with ice breakers to improve the team spirit and the bond with the new members also was strengthened through this. Competitions took place in-order to have the team competitive and enthusiastic in engaging in the activities during the retreat.

Plans were proposed for future events, discussions on expanding the network of SLU and deadlines were drawn out in achieving future objectives was held during the retreat. Also the objectives of the organization were further verified from the last retreat held last year and an evaluation was made into the progress of each department in the objectives which was achieved from the last retreat. The day was concluded with a joyful session faces of the children from the orphanage home nearby by having a game of cricket and some water games. On the third day the importance of submitting a monthly report by each department was stressed by Christin Rajah who is currently the national director of Sri Lanka Unites. Over all, through this event SLU was motivated and energized and also guidance for future activities was given. The revised departments came up with visions for each department and are listed below.

• Reconciliation Center

To create a sustainable Reconciliation Centre in every district of the country that will empower the youth through bringing academic opportunities to their regions, making them more employable and creating employment opportunities, with the final goal of being a symbol of hope and reconciliation in their own regions.

• Public Relations and Administration Department

To maintain proper processes in place within the movement in order to ensure periodic reporting, maintain proper records and meet legal requirements. Keeping those who are interested in Sri Lanka Unites informed of the latest events with the use of Social Media, Monthly News Letter, Media, Press and the Sri Lanka Unites Website.

• Sahasara Magazine

Taking reconciliation to the grass root levels across the island and ensuring the message and importance of reconciliation is understood

• Schools Relations

To create a proper communication channel to all schools, ensuring that the bond between Schools chapters and Sri Lanka Unites are not broken.

• Regional Representatives

To gather rationalists and visionaries who bestows a prosperous future equipped with reconciliation for a better generation

• Future Leaders Conference

Be the first contact point for the youth of all ethnicities and religious groups across Sri Lanka to come together for reconciliation. Create a network of leaders, with the values that will pave way for a peaceful and prosperous nation.

• SHOW You Care

To educate and mobilize the youth of the country in order to create a society where women are treated with respect and cared for, thus contributing to social and ethnic harmony.

Youth; The Catalysts for Reconciliation

By - Tracy Kumarapeli

Can a society move forward from the heartache and the ever consuming wrath amassed during an era of conflict? It was the same question posed when the three decade war in Sri Lanka finally came to an end. Can we move forward from the years of brutality and unwarranted discrimination amongst ethnic groups, which undoubtedly led to, the greatest bloodshed that Sri Lanka has ever experienced? The fear and distrust harboured throughout the years has in turn instilled a sense of trepidation among people, which is preventing reconciliation in the true sense of the word, but what better time to seek reconciliation than the invaluable clip of now? For waiting until the distrust fritter away could do more harm than good.

To quote Mark Strand; the future is always beginning now. Hence for a better tomorrow, action has to be taken right here, right now. Carrying the power of ‘now’ close to heart, the Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) movement, has taken matters to its own hands. Backed by a group of young people from all walks of life, this youth reconciliation movement believes in inculcating the need to remove ethnic intolerance and to nurture a whole-hearted sense of appreciation and acceptance towards one another within society.

 Since 2009, the SLU has been hosting the annual Future Leader’s Conference for school children who have exhibited a potential for leadership. With five days of intense and stringent skill training for the selected youth from different ethnic origins, the conference guarantees that a sense of true “Sri Lankan-ness” will be instilled in their minds. Dispelling the doctrine of nationalism based on caste and creed, these future leaders will then move on to spread the message to the other parts of society.

If the past is not to repeat itself, the old stereotypes must be avoided; a new spirit of cooperation and understanding must be forged. Instilling a vision of a hopeful future in the youth of this nation is crucial and is one of the goals that the SLU hopes to achieve.

Right after the blood curdling war, it came to light, that a staggering 75% of the youth in Sri Lanka do not have friends outside their own ethnicity. Therefore another objective of the conference is to forge new bonds among students that would hopefully, last for a life time.

Being proactive is the modus operandi of the SLU movement and the Future Leaders Conference. For reconciliation on paper might be attainable by an extrinsic influence, such as a government, but then again a country’s regime can only do so much. Instead, we, ourselves should take the first step towards reconciliation and this in turn should be done at a personal level.

The Future Leaders Conference has been gaining momentum each year with having trained over 1800 students from all 25 districts during the span of four years. Motivational speakers, workshops and sports events that allow students to interact are the highlights of the confab. Trained volunteers from universities at home and overseas mentor these young minds.

The closing ceremony of the conferences are always intense and emotional so much so that the hardest of hearts would find it very difficult to not be moved and chime in when every student yells “Sri Lanka” at the top of their lungs. You didn’t have to be a Sri Lankan to have gooseflesh erupt when you feel the palpable unity and respect that the students have for each other, and that’s when you realize that a united Sri Lanka isn’t so far off in the future.

It is of no doubt that the past cannot be re-written. It is also beyond impossible to change the way people think overnight, there is just so much animosity and bitterness left inside of them. It is so clear that, encapsulating this vehemence inside will do no good and before we know it another war will emerge from its wake, and so goes the cycle. Reconciliation should feature in everyone's goal for eternal peace, something quite akin to Nirvana, the Eternal Kingdom of God or salvation that any other religion assures. Personal salvations aside what Sri Lanka really needs is a lasting harmony, where every living soul enjoys the God-given right to live with dignity.

The reconciliation process using the youth is without a doubt the best solution, and the fact that they haven’t yet contracted the epidemic of cynicism that plagues the older generation gives room for a ray of hope for a better future. With the Future Leaders Conference these youngsters will be able to eradicate prejudice and ethnic persecution and maintain the trust and respect that all people are entitled to.

THINK – Has our Desire for an ethnic and religious identity made us lose our value for humanity?

After the exhaustion of a three decade war and the having the taste of a country free of bloodshed over the last four years still we see that racism exists in modern day Sri Lanka. If we do not act accordingly now Sri Lanka will be heading into another ethnic conflict which results in bloodshed. We are currently witnessing voices being raised again in support of racism. While the issuing of the “Halaal Certificate” has been a talking point for everyone it has been the root cause for many extremists to find it as an excuse to raise their extremist views. Recently I was shopping in the streets of Colombo with my teacher and the bitter experience that we had to go through made us realize that how bad the tensions have been between the Muslim and Sinhalese communities.

I was wearing a shalwaar (Clothing which most Muslim women wear) while on the streets of Colombo doing shopping with my school teacher. The exhausting heat of the sun made me wear the shawl of the Shalwaar wrapped around my head. This can be defined as a common sight in Sri Lanka to see Muslim women wearing a shawl on top of their head as an obligation to their religion. But once I entered a shop with a shawl wrapped around my head. I suddenly realized that a worker at the shop was staring at me in a rather peculiar manner. Suddenly one of the worker’s at the shop pointed her finger at me and told my teacher “She is Halaal”. Outraged in disgust by the words that she uttered I asked the worker “Why? Will you not sell any clothes to Muslims?” utterly disgusted and saddened by the incident which had taken place, I walked out of the shop without buying anything. I came to the conclusion that there was no use of having an unnecessary quarrel with someone who does not understand the situation and that she is only pawn in this game. Still I strongly believed that this story should be told to the world for them to open their eyes on where the country is leading itself into.

It does not matter whether we are Muslims or Sinhalese, what we all should understand is that we are all humans. Having born into the world as an infant we would be given labels of a race or a religion. We come to choose our religion not because of we were given the independence in selecting it but because of what our parents follow as a religion. However we should remember that our ethnicity/race is to complete our identity and our religion is a guide to live in harmony while helping us in being a good citizen of the country. Although we all have been singing national anthems like parrots it seems a majority of us do not seem to understand the meaning of the words it contains. A verse in our National Anthem says (Eka mawakage daru-kala bawina, yamu yamu wee nopama) “Together as children of one mother, let us move without delay” by Mr. Ananda Samarakoon was accepted by all citizens of Sri Lanka as the national anthem, but now it seems that it’s just another song among a thousand others.

Not all Muslims understand Buddhism and not all Buddhists understand Islam. There is an ancestral saying which says if you try to explain something that you do not understand is similar to a blind trying to describe an elephant. Any one should understand that accusing a race or ethnicity without sufficient knowledge of it is an act of disgust and can lead to rather disastrous consequences.

Apart from the Halal Issues another pitiful act of some of the extremist groups have been the accusation made against attire worn by Muslim women in society. All Muslim women should have the right to wear the Abaaya in Sri Lanka according to the laws of their religion and the laws of the country.

There were sixty two different religions in India at the time of Lord Buddha. But, Lord Buddha has never said “this religion is wrong, don’t follow it, follow mine” at any point. Once Nigantanatha Puthra, who was a religious leader of another religion had one of his follower’s called Upali was sent to humiliate Lord Buddha, but having talked to Lord Buddha he then started to follow Buddhism as his religion. Although Upali now became a Buddhist, Lord Buddha had asked him to continue his regular hospitality and respect for Nigantanatha Puthra as he respected the existence of other religions.

Think, when two religions becomes center point for causing hatred will this not cause another ethnic conflict which will lead the country into another war. No religion promotes hatred rather peace and harmony into the hearts of people. As Sri Lankans we need to find unity in diversity and have the courage to stand up against those who promote racism.

Written by A Sinhala Buddhist Student from Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka Unites Reconciliation Centre - After the Launch

A three year dream of Sri Lanka Unites just became true after the opening ceremony of the Sri Lanka Unites Reconciliation Centre in Mulliyawallai, Mullaithivu. It has been just one month since the opening ceremony and the Reconciliation Centre is already providing education in Information Technology and English Language for over 70 students in scholarship basis.

ESOFT one of the leading Information Technology Institutes in Sri Lanka along with HSBC has partnered with Sri Lanka Unites in providing education for 40 students, who have enrolled to the DITEC program. So far the students have found the program very useful in terms of higher education, which will guide them to a better future after the successful completion of the course. The students enrolled for their higher education at the Sri Lanka Unites Reconciliation Center are unemployed, unmarried youth who is between ages of 16 – 25, after their Advanced Level Examinations/Ordinary Level Examinations.

The first batch of students, who has enrolled to the program in January are now half way through their course and they are. Sri Lanka Unites is also looking forward to call out another fresh batch of students to be enrolled on the 20^th of March 2013. Also there are another batch has been started between this timeline.

An air conditioned container with all necessary facilities in providing IT education is being used to educate these students while the English classes are happening in another container and the theory classes are happening in a hall inside. Some of the students who have not had a chance in using a computer due to the lack of facilities in the ergion have found the experience as a valuable opportunity. Sri Lanka Unites had the privilege of hiring an experienced English teacher (Mr. Indika Yapa) who worked before at Tea Leaf Vision, Centre for Professional Development in Maskeliya, in conducting the English Diploma Courses at the Sri Lanka Unites Reconciliation Centre. Currently over 36 students has enrolled to the English Diploma Course and the first batch of students are going to complete the course by the 2^nd week of May, 2013. Classes are conducted for each batch on all 5 days of the week and 3 hours per day.

The students are also learning and practicing about the essentials of behaving in a professional environment such as, being organized, being punctual, achieving targets, being proactive, hardworking and many more. Also Sri Lanka Unites is trying their best give the students a better future by creating 300 job opportunities in Mullaithivu District and already 12 individuals has been called for interviews. The first Community Aid program is to be organized by the Sri Lanka Unites Reconciliation Center by the 20^th of April 2013. Already there has been 3 fund raising events done at the Reconciliation Center in regards to this.

On the 1^st of April Sri Lanka Unites is expecting to open a library where many people from the community have an access to an internet cafe where the people from the community will be able to access internet for at cheap price. There are also plans by Sri Lanka Unites to extend the span of the Reconciliation Centre within the District of Mullaithivu so that more students from the region will be able to gain the benefits of it.