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.

Road Trip 2012 Day Three- Travel Tales

“What we stand for is a united Sri Lanka. A nation free from discrimination due to race, caste or ethnicity… a nation where all individuals are treated as equals, regardless of their background,” says Kalinda, a member of our Dream Team representing Kegalle, who is speaking at our morning assembly in Ratnapura.

“An example of what I mean by this was demonstrated here just this morning during the daily morning Buddhist prayers at your school. My dear friends, I myself am a Buddhist, but my fellow brothers and sisters present here, from all across Sri Lanka are of different ethnicities, religions and beliefs. And yet, as we made our religious observances, they stood here silently, their heads bowed, showing their utmost respect. However, as the national anthem began to play, we all stood proudly upright, united under one flag, singing from our hearts. And that, my dear friends, is what it means to be Sri Lankan. We might have different beliefs, we might have different ideas or different appearances,  but as long as we respect each other and remember our own identity as a Sri Lankan, we will stand strong as a nation.”
The hall is silent as a 100 young students, as well as the principal and teachers of Ratnapura Dharmapala Vidyalaya contemplate these thought provoking words. It could not have been put better.

The Rathnapura assembly ends on a good note with us being able to give them books for their library and a plate rack for their special needs class, and we, after spending some time singing songs with the children of this class, pack our bags and head for Monaragala. Having had a double breakfast due to the extremely kind, but unfortunately unforeseen hospitality of the Rathnapura School, we do not feel the need to stop for lunch. However,  this is where the trouble begins.  By six thirty, we still haven’t anything to eat since breakfast, and our chance of finding any food seems to be bleak as the road continues to wind on, seemingly devoid of any human existence (elephants are in plenty, however.)

An hour later, the effects of this lack of food are clearly beginning to present themselves. Prashan grabs his guitar and starts singing a song about his hunger pangs, which soon extends, as each person adds bits and pieces, to a full blown comical lament, with special mentions being made about a few of our road trip ‘characters’. Prashan seems to be on a roll with his lyrics when, out of nowhere Sangeeran bursts out- ‘Aiya, if we can’t find a place, can we at least food the cook?’  

In the midst of all these food related challenges and moments of questionable sanity among others, today we realized one thing. Sure, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But if it doesn't and there don’t seem to be any lemon shops to be found, don’t stress.. just food the cook.    

MY EXPERIENCE IN KEGALLE

by Sanjeevan Marine

Went to Kegalle from kandy at the morning, and we started our assemblies for Kegalle. First we went to Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya. Then we went to Duddly Senanayaka College and then went to Kegalle Maha Vidyala. The school visits were such a nice experiences. I saw the Sinhala Buddhist traditional things there.

Especially an unforgettable experience in Kegalle Maha Vidyalaya, I met a boy from that school. His name is Sanjaya. He participated in FLC 03. His father is a soldier in SL Army, and he lost his arm in the war. So the boy hated tamil people.But after the conference, two of his best friends are tamil. The meeting with him was a wonderful experience.

In the evening we went to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. At the night we stayed in a Buddhhist place which belongs to SANASA. Our friends Manjula & Thisara arranged it well.

The next day we had a workshop in Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya. Then we finished our activities at Kegalle.

*Kegalle was such a beautifull place. It has an amazing geographical landscape. Its climate was superb…

I can’t forget my memories in Kegalle.

 Thank you!!

 

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!