Final Day of Sri Lanka Unites' Flagship Event

After 4 days of living with each other not many wanted to return home. The last day of the conference was not eagerly anticipated. Although everyone was looking forward to yet another day of FLC this would also be the final day they would get to spend precious time with their team. Spirits were high but emotions were mixed. A group of girls who had to leave on the 3rd day and return in the evening (as they were receiving prizes at their school prize giving) refused to do so as they couldn't stand the idea of leaving the conference even for a few hours. This is the level of enthusiasm with which each one of them embraced each new day at FLC.

Due to the spike in hate speech in the recent past we realized the need for informed information to circulate among people about the different religions. What better platform than FLC to do this? We had about 600 young student leaders all dressed in white eager to learn and make a difference. The first session comprised of a panel of four religious leaders representing each of the main religions in Sri Lanka. Each spoke of the the beliefs that their religion stood by. This was very significant as many of the pre-conceived notions and uninformed judgments of another's religion was broken down. The students were then able to ask questions and clarify doubts about another religion. The religious leaders were impressed as the students posed intelligent and timely questions. The leaders did justice to each question by answering without holding back. At the end of a powerful and excellent session many of the students and volunteers commented on how much they had needed an opportunity to participate in something of this calibre.

The teams returned to the hall now wearing their SLU FLC 5 T-shirts for the closing ceremony. Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala spoke to the audience and thanked Sangamitta Balika and the principal for their immense assistance for FLC 5. This is the first time FLC has been held in a Buddhist, all girls, government school. That in itself has been a great achievement only made possible by the enthusiasm and encouragement of the Principal of Sangamitta Balika. He spoke further on SLU and its journey to where it is today. He encouraged the students and applauded their efforts and enthusiasm to be agents of change and appreciate the immense potential that each of them possessed. Following this we had the finals of the oratory competition where the participant blew our minds away by the content of their speeches and their ability to deliver them so well. The moment that always moves the heart of the people is when the students take the stage and apologize to each other for the hurts and injustices of the past inflicted by one community to another. Although many have criticized that this is only a feel-good element there is no denying that the students need this. forgiveness needs to be asked, hurts must be acknowledged. It is a vital part of the healing process. To this day even participant of FLC 1 recount how much they appreciated that act of forgiveness and of acceptance. Many say that that was the moment it all changed and that was the moment they cherish to this day. No doubt the students felt this way this time too.

Kandy Report

By Malshani Delgahapitiya

10^th Oct. 2011

The 2^nd assembly for the day was held as Hillwood College. The grade 12 students of Hillwood attended the assembly. 

The Sri Lanka Unites Junior Team (SLU JT), explained to the gathering, the importance of reconciliation and peace and how we as students can contribute towards this cause.

We left the premises after the assembly with the hope of seeing a SLU chapter at Hillwood College Kandy in the near future, and headed to the Hindu Cultural Centre where we lodged.

After lunch, the junior Team had a team time, which we used to learn and broaden our knowledge on reconciliation.  The end of team time was always full of fun filled and memorable discussions about the morning sessions and getting to know each other more.  

In the later part of the day, we spent time preparing for the Kandy workshop which was to be held the following day at the Hindu Cultural Centre. Since our team consisted of multi talented and versatile youth from across the country, our team leader, Prashan Ayya suggested that we should practice and perform a song after the workshop! We managed to practice the song while working on various other responsibilities each of us were given.  It was challenging but we gave our best shots to make the next day a success! After dinner, we watched the movie “Invictus”, to get a better knowledge about the great personality of Nelson Mandela.

11^th Oct. 2011

All of us were up and ready by 6 a.m. for the big day in Kandy.  Each person attended to the responsibilities they were given the previous day.  A total of about 60 students from Trinity College Kandy; Colombo International School, Kandy; Royal International School, Kurunagala; St. Anthoy’s College, Kandy; and St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy attended the Kandy SLU workshop that was organized by the SLU chapter of Trinity College, Kandy. The students were mixed and put into several teams, irrespective of their schools.  

The teams actively participated in all the games we had organized for them. Each game was based on a reconciliation principle. The main attraction of the workshop was the forum theatre which showcased a series of unjust events that was later corrected by the students.  By the end of the workshop, the students were also deeply moved and touched by the vision of Sri Lanka Unites, and they all pledged to work with SLU to rebuild our nation and to be the change that we want to see in the country.  

 

Kandy workshop- A Success!! 

After a tiring morning session, the Junior Team was given a much deserved break by Prashan Ayya. So together with few of our friends from the Trinity College, SLU chapter, we decided to go around Kandy site seeing before night falls.  We had an amazing time, yet again getting to know each other better and enjoying the beauties of the hill-capital. It was almost 10.30 p.m. when we got back to the Hindu Cultural Centre and we were all very tired! BUT! We all stayed up, to learn more about one of the greatest leaders of the world; Nelson Mandela. After the team session, we all went back to our rooms to have a good night sleep to be ready to head to Nuwara-eliya the following day.

Summary of the First Leg of the Road Trip

Let me start with apologising for not delivering on the promise of Daily Updates from the Road Trip. We did not have the web connectivity we needed for this. However, this summary of the first leg of the Road Trip is only a gist of everything that happened. I will put up more detailed posts on the more interesting aspects of the Road Trip.

On the 9th of October, we left Colombo at 4p.m. heading to Kandy. At Kandy we were hosted by the Hindu Cultural Center. Our special thanks to Kishin Siva and his dad for making that possible. In Kandy, we visited Trinity College, who were the host of FLC season 3, and the welcome there was amazing!  We also visited Hillwood Girl's College. Part of the team went to Kurunegala district where they visited Malliyadeva Model School and Royal International. On the 11th of October we had a workshop for the Kandy and Kurunegala districts at the Hindu Cultural Center hall. It went off pretty well. The forum theatre, was one of the most interesting aspects of it. We had CIS Kandy, Royal International, Trinity College, St. Sylvester's and St. Anthony's participating.

On the 12th of October, we went to Nuwaraeliya where we had assemblies at St. Xavier's College and Beacon Hill Academy, followed by a workshop for both the schools. It was the most interactive workshop, and the response was excellent!

We left to Kegalle on the 13th, and visited Kegalu Vidyalaya and Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya. On the 14th, part of the team left to Ratnapura where they were warmly welcomed by Dharmapala Maha Vidyalaya which is our only member school in the district. The rest of the team conducted a workshop for the Schools of Kegalle district at the Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya. St. Joseph's Convent, Kegalu Vidyalaya, Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya and a few more schools participated.

That brought to an end our first leg! 5 days, 5 districts... Keep following as we continue to update you more about these 5 days and also about arrangements for the next leg, which will start on the 23rd of the month!