Renowned Lankan diplomat recognises SLU at Reconciliation Commission hearings

In his formal representation to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) today, Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala (a former UN Under-Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs and former Foreign Secretary) mentioned the work of Sri Lanka Unites, and touted the movement as a "great example on how to move forward" from the 30 year long war in Sri Lanka that ended last May. Here are some exerpts from his representation, obtained from the official transcript recorded by the Commission.

The following question was raised by a Commissioner, Mr. C. Chanmugam:

"Mr. Dhanapala you made some very pertinent remarks on youth organizations and their possible contribution towards improving the reconciliation process as well as improving the base of our societal reforms. Is it possible for you to expand a little bit more on your experiences? Thank you"

Exerpt from Amb. Dhanapala's response:

"I was invited by a group of young persons at the level of university to be on the Board of Trustees along with several others of a group called Sri Lanka Unites and we were able to participate in a major conference that took place last year where over 350 schools were represented by prefects and head prefects of these various schools speaking in 3 different languages – in English, Sinhala and Tamil – with simultaneous translations. They participated firstly very hesitantly because they had never met each other[...]they were meeting people of other ethnic groups for the first time. There were of course mutual suspicions inevitably. But over a period of time with the various activities that were organized for them by this group and by listening to a number of adult speakers from different parts of the country we had a breaking down of their traditional attitudes and the bonding of all these young people together and these bonds survived well beyond the conference. They had visits organized bilaterally between schools in Jaffna and schools in Colombo as well as other schools in different parts of the country. They were encouraged to form reconciliation clubs in their own areas so that they could continue the message of reconciliation that was so vital. Some of them had lost members of their own family in the conflict and therefore there were feelings of bitterness and anger which did not evaporate overnight but over a period of time diminished."

He went on to add:

"And this year a similar conference was held with also a large number of people; again people coming in from different parts of the world and establishing links as citizens of Sri Lanka 15 and as young people being able to adopt common aspirations for the country. And it was a very moving experience for me. I was there only for a day to speak to them but from the reports I have been getting from the youth leaders – these are called future leaders conferences – and I think it is a nucleus of a very important mass movement that can take place. Of course funding is a problem. They have to get sponsorship from various private sector organizations but if there is more of this I think we can spread the message of reconciliation amongst the youth because they are the future of our country and while our generation may have said to have failed the country that generation I think has a unique opportunity of doing some good for our country."

The Sri Lankan Commission on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa commenced sittings at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS), Colombo, from August 11. It comprises of respected personalities like C.R. de Silva (head of the Commission), C. Chanmugam, Manohari Ramanathan, H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Rohan Perera, Karu Hangawatte, M.T.M.Jiffry and M.P.P. Paranagama.
It is yet unclear as to the full mandate of the Commission, and whether it's narrow scope will be able to fully address issues of national reconciliation, race and religious relations, restorative justice, and have mechanisms to openly hear and address grievances of those affected, from all communities. However, several key current and former decision-makers and eminent personalities have been summoned to make representations at the Commission's public hearings. They include:

• Gotabaya Rajapakse (Defence Secretary)
• Bernard Goonetilleke (fmr. head of the Peace Secretariat)
• V. Anandasangaree (MP, and leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front - TULF)
• Godfrey Goonetilleke (Director of the Marga Institute)
• Hiranthi Wijemanne (fmr. Head of the National Child Protection Authority)
• Austin Fernando (fmr. Defence Secretary)
• Rajiva Wijesinha (MP, and fmr. head of the Peace Secretariat)
• Rajan Asiriwathan (a leading accounting professional and fmr. Bank of Ceylon chief )

The Commission hearings are ongoing, as this post is published. Many others are expected to make verbal representations, following which, the public will be able to send in written submissions.


Some news coverage of the LLRC hearings, and analysis:

'Official transcript of LLRC oral submission by Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala'

'Lanka's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission sessions begin tomorrow'

'Sri Lanka's Reconciliation Commission to hear from people in conflict-affected areas'

'Why the lessons learnt and reconciliation commission must deliver'

'International community should take Sri Lanka as an example - Defence secretary tells LLRC '

'Sri Lankan war inquiry commission opens amid criticism'


[post updated on 02nd Sept. 2010]

Students from Colombo and Kegalle reflect....

First time FLC participants from Colombo and Kegalle emailed us these messages following the conference....

"Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to participate at the most awesome conference ever! Our lives were greatly changed for the better. I assure you that Ladies' college will fulfill her tiny role in working toward unity."

"We are back at home after fantastic time in SLU Camp !!! [...] we are hoping to start our Kegalle district association in next month with 100 students of our school"

A student from Mannar reflects....

Here are some reflections emailed to us by a student leader and SLU member from Mannar, returning for the reconciliation conference for the 2nd year....

"Let me first tell you "thanks". THANK YOU. It was awesome, and to see you guys with the same same passion was much more amazing than the conference itself. Our Mannar boys had an amazing time, and they consider it as a reward for all the hard work that they put in. On a personal note I too had a much better time than last year in terms of my teams performance and spirit".

"The way I see it, the biggest positive was that the students played hard ball with the speakers. The questions asked were much more mature..."

"[...] there was more emphasis on future activities..."

Heartfelt moments, from FLC Season 1 (2009)

Motivational intro video for the participants of FLC Season 2...

SLU conference 2010 - Reflections from an observer

by Sashi Selvendran* (USA)

What do you get when you bring hundreds of the brightest, most talented students from all around the country together for 5 days? You get something life changing, something larger than the individual parts, something new. Sri Lanka Unites held its second annual Future Leaders Conference this past week, bringing together students from different parts of Sri Lanka, from different ethnic backgrounds for 5 days of inspirational thinking, strategizing, discussing, playing, and sharing.

From the first day when the students nervously unloaded into the auditorium and patiently waited as their fellow peers arrived, to the second day when they began dancing in the aisles, it didn’t take long for this talented bunch to know they were among friends. Despite the language barriers, the students were able to find linkages with their fellow classmates from different parts of the country. They shared in their love of food, of music, of sports, and movies to realize that despite the war, they had more in common than they would have ever known.

It wasn’t easy to get the students to leave their school pride and friendships behind to join new teams. As they entered the auditorium, you could see the look of bewilderment as they were all separated into new groups. So they sat in silence for the first hour. Many didn’t speak to each other, assuming that because the students next to them looked different they probably didn’t speak the same language. But slowly as they started talking, introducing each other, and sharing stories, they came to see how easy it could be talk to someone that may be from a different background and speak a different language. By the second hour in the auditorium, more students had arrived, more conversations were started, and more friendships were developed.

As the first day came to a close, the students learned more about the purpose of the conference, visited their shared rooms, and ate a traditional Sri Lankan meal for dinner. They watched as a live band performed an original composition, in all three languages. They clapped and beat their feet to the rhythm of the beat, as the excitement of the next 4 days started to build.

The second day brought insightful discussions with Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala and project planning sessions. The day ended with cricket and other team sporting activities that revved up the group for the rest of the evening. By this point, bonds had been formed with their teammates as they rallied together in the activities. With full energy the students were clearly a lot more comfortable with each other and fully embraced their new teams. One team even chose to wake up at 4am to practice Iftar with their Muslim peers and fast until sundown, as a sign of solidarity.

By the second night’s entertainment, the students were fully energized. The entertainment acts were well received, and the students brought the house down with a session of baila and dancing. A breakout performance by a young beatboxer combined with a Tamil rap from one of the students got everyone clapping and jamming together.

The third morning was a time of reflection and inquiry for the students. Speakers discussed the value of building social change by starting with yourself. Raghi Kadirgamar talked of the shared commonalities between the ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, including DNA. He invited the students to strive for social transformation by finding leaders they believed in and following in their path. He provided examples of leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, who simply transformed society by non-violent means. He encouraged the students to not let their fears limit them and strive for what they believed in. Kushil Gunasekera of the Foundation of Goodness asked the students to provide acts of kindness and set an example of themselves. “Do things differently, don’t do different things” he said. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and commitment, with the example of the world famous bowler – Muralithiran who had to put in hours of practice to perfect his throw. Incidentally, Kushil is Murali’s manager. Finally he asked the students to allow their challengers to be their teachers, instead of to let them hold them back.

Following these talks, the students engaged in a thought-provoking question and answer session. Many of the questions reflected the depth of their thinking on the topic of reconciliation. The questions from Colombo to Mannar to Kurunegala and Galle demonstrated the sophistication of the students’ understanding of the end of the war, the process of reconciliation, politics, and development. One student asked, “what’s going to bring true reconciliation – infrastructure development or political transformation and dialogue?”. Another asked, “how are we to secure the political and economic well-being of the people affected by the war and how far do the current policies achieve it?”. Another asked, “if the country was truly democratic and pluralistic, why aren’t the minorities better represented in the government?” One of the most thought provoking questions left the speakers speechless - “how can we as students bring a greater awareness to the authorities of the effect of discriminatory policies on some minority groups?”. The sense of 'more can be done' prevailed among the students as question after question posed the question of - how can we build a unified Sri Lanka, and bring in the minority groups into mainstream society, so that there is inclusive development in post-war Sri Lanka.

For many of the students, this was the first time they had left their hometowns. Coming to a new place, separated from their families, and then separated from their friends was intimidating. But as the conference progressed, with smaller groups for sharing stories and discussing key issues, inspirational talks by leaders, and of course, sports events, the students merged well into their new roles. They chanted emphatically for their respective new teams. Unique teams that weren’t comprised of students from their own school, but instead students from different ethnicities and regions all playing alongside each other, against a similarly structured team. They learnt each others stories, they shared their hurt and their hopes, and they came to new understanding. Most of all, they broke down barriers erected by decades of division and conflict, to realize that truly they shared the same hopes and dreams for themselves, for their future and for their country.

Whether they came from small towns or big cities, the common confidence and ambition was palpable. The potential for SLU to channel the energy of these students to start social change in their communities is clear and inspiring. The impact remains to be seen. But if the student’s non-stop energy, hard-hitting questions, and strong interest in reconciliation seen at the conference is any indication – the sky is the limit for this group to innovate, create, and lead their communities to new heights.

*Sashi Selvendran is a Sri Lankan American who moved to the States in 1984. Her Tamil-Sinhalese roots brings her back to Sri Lanka often to visit family and friends. She currently works in International Development and is a member of Lanka Solidarity - a multi-ethnic diaspora group based in the U.S. She was visiting Sri Lanka in August and decided to attend the FLC as an independent observer.

Glimpses of the 2010 conference!

The Future Leaders Conference Season 2 concluded successfully over the weekend, and while we are getting ready to bring you some blog updates from the events of the 5 days, short video v-logs, along with independent observer reviews and student reconciliation essays, here are a few photos from the final day of the conference....

- Anush Wijesinha

400 Student Leaders, 23 Districts: Sri Lanka Unites

As Wednesday began, all preparations were ready at the MAS Institute of Management and Technology in Thulhiriya for the second annual Future Leaders’ Conference (FLC) of the Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) youth movement. This year’s conference is bringing together 400 young leaders from 80 schools around the country.

The conference is the flagship event of SLU in its attempt to mobilise young leaders from every ethnicity, religion, class and caste in a movement that hopes to demonstrate the powerful potential of youth to devise constructive solutions for a sustainable future.

As the first day of the conference got underway, organisers were standing by for students to arrive from around the country. The first students started trickling in at about 12:00 p.m. By 2:30 p.m., more than 300 students had arrived at the training center.

Registration and team allocation began around 3:00 p.m. The mood was fairly apprehensive as the staff began assigning students into mixed teams. For some, it will be the first time they’re having the opportunity to interact with students from different communities. A Tamil-speaking student from Mullaitivu was assigned to a group with a Sinhala-speaking student from Galle who expressed that she is “not sure what to expect as she has never been at a conference of this nature.”

The chief guest at the opening ceremony was Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, the executive director of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, the “largest people's organisation in Sri Lanka.” Following Dr. Ariyaratne’s address, students from the countrywide SLU network were honored at an awards ceremony. These students were recognized for their achievements conducted under the SLU follow-up program. Some of the awards included prizes for:

- The Club Making the Highest Contribution in Relief and Rebuilding
- The Club with the Best Student Exchange Program
- The Club with the Most Creative Reconciliation Art Project

Students were then introduced to the concept of “reconciliation through responsible leadership,” using various forms of media and speeches that were conducted in all three languages. As they were taken through the themes that will dominate FLC, a student from Jaffna said he was “excited to enhance leadership skills by working with others from different backgrounds.” He added that “FLC presents us with a unique opportunity to meet new people.”

Future Leaders’ Conference Began Today

The Future Leaders’ Conference of the Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) movement kicked off today in Thulhiriya.

Conference organizers reached the MAS Institute of Management and Technology early Wednesday to finalize preparations for the event. Volunteers and student participants from around the island arrive on location later in the afternoon.

The first full day of the conference will begin tomorrow, during which former U.N. Under Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs Jayantha Dhanapala will speak to participants.

The conference will end Sunday, Aug. 15. Check back for more updates on conference activities.

Minute Maid and NDB Bank Support Future Leaders' Conference

The second annual Future Leaders’ Conference of the Sri Lanka Unites movement was made possible by the generous support of Minute Maid and NDB Bank of Sri Lanka, which is the official banking partner for the Future Leaders’ Conference Season 2.

Sri Lanka Unites would like to thank these two sponsors and the many other supporters and well-wishers for helping make this important event possible.

Sri Lanka Unites Invites Journalists to Attend Youth Conference

The Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) organization is extending an invitation to all journalists – both local and international – to attend and cover the second annual Future Leaders’ Conference that will be held Aug. 11 to 15 at the MAS Institute of Management and Technology in Thulhiriya.

The organization’s head of the Board of Trustees and former U.N. Under Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala will be speaking to the youth leaders Aug. 12. Other dignitaries will be attending the last day of the conference.

The conference is the key annual event of SLU and is instrumental in giving the youth of Sri Lanka a unique opportunity to unpack the concept of reconciliation.

Conference organizers are inviting journalists from broadcast, print and online media to cover the event in Thulhiriya. If required, transport reimbursements/arrangements can be made for local journalists.

Any journalist or media organizations interested in covering the event should contact Aarthi Dharmadasa at aarthiud@gmail.com to obtain a copy of the press release and other information.

All Students Attending FLC Receive Full Scholarships

Sri Lanka Unites will be providing full scholarships for all students attending this year’s Future Leaders’ Conference (FLC).

During the five-day residential event that will take place at the MAS Institute of Management and Technology training center in Thulhiriya, students will engage in a range of activities specifically developed to hone leadership skills.

"FLC brings Sri Lanka's future leaders together, give them opportunities to interact with their counterparts from across the island and nurture agents of change” said SLU President Prashan De Visser. “It is the first step in the creation of a Sri Lankan society that is ready to work together to prosper as one nation, diverse yet united as one.”

All Conference activities will focus on unpacking the overall themes of hope and reconciliation. Students will hear speeches from notable personalities, personal testimonies and engage in activities in music, drama, media, art, theatre, and sports, all of which have been designed to instill team building skills and foster lasting friendships. The conference will also facilitate small discussion groups between students from varying ethnic backgrounds with the objective of breaking negative stereotypes and cultivating mutual respect.

Sri Lanka Unites was established by a small group of young Sri Lankans who envisioned all youth, irrespective of ethnic and religious differences, coming together to begin the reconciliation process. Established in 2008, the SLU network now consists of a core membership of over 3,000 student leaders in 13 of the country’s 25 districts. This countrywide network is responsible for sustaining the organization’s follow-up mechanisms which is inclusive of an 85-week nation building program that allows these young leaders to proactively make changes within their schools and communities.

Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala Scheduled to Speak at FLC

The former U.N. Under Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs Jayantha Dhanapala will speak at the second annual Future Leaders’ Conference Aug. 12.

Dhanapala is the head of the Board of Trustees of Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) and has been an important advisor and mentor for the organization since its inception.

“The emergence of an organization such as Sri Lanka Unites, which promises to restore the ‘youth voice’ in advocating conflict-transformation, is truly admirable,” Dhanapala said. “I am pleased to be closely associated with Sri Lanka Unites, a youth movement intent on promoting nationwide hope and reconciliation. The youth present a viable solution for Sri Lanka’s future. Young people should be encouraged to take the lead in championing the cause of reconciliation in our communities, and I am glad that Sri Lanka Unites has taken on this challenge.”

The one-time candidate for the post of U.N. Secretary-General, Dhanapala will speak to the hundreds of youth attending the conference on the second day of the five-day event.