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 Two: To the City of Gems

As Day Two of the road trip draws to a close, it is with a mingled sense of accomplishment and anticipation that we reflect on the day’s events. We feel an air of triumph for what we already seem to have achieved, and an undiluted anticipation of what is still yet to come. The sense of accomplishment stems mostly from the success of the two workshops that we were able to complete in the two districts that we visited so far, Gampaha and Ratnapura. The 200 young student leaders that we were able to reach were undoubtedly inspired and would ensure that the Sri Lanka Unites torch would be lit for the first time in their schools, or, as in most cases, would continue to go strong.

What was most inspiring for us, as members of the Dream Team, was the overwhelming amount of time and effort these schools had dedicated towards setting up a positive and successful workshop for the top leaders of the schools in their respective districts. They were filled with so much passion, drive and enthusiasm for the cause which certainly inspired us in our own journey as well. The sense of welcome and gratitude we felt on arriving at these schools was something I know most of us had never experienced before and doubt will ever forget. We were heralded in as guests of honor, behind the customary Sri Lankan drummers and dancers  in the traditional Sri Lankan style, with eager students dressed in their school uniforms and blazers standing proudly at the entrance to their schools in a gesture of welcome.  The pride they felt was apparent and, according to a young student from Rathnapura  Dharmapala Vidyalaya who later spoke to us, their aim was to show respect for and give back, in whatever way they could, for what Sri Lanka  Unites had done for them and for how it had helped them develop as individuals.

As we introduced ourselves as the Junior Team of Sri Lanka Unites 2012, Prashan invited one of our members from Mulativu to introduce himself to the students of the Ratnapura District. Nijanthan steps up to the podium and, in a confident voice that had us dispelling all previous conceptions of his character as quiet and shy, began to talk in perfectly pronounced Sinhala.  ‘My name is Nijanthan’ he said in a language of his country that he was speaking for the first time in his life. ‘I am from Mulativu.  I haven’t had a single Sinhala friend for my entire life, but now I have so many and that makes me proud.’ A round of thundering applause ensued as the students, teachers and staff of Ragama Basilica College applauded this young individual who has symbolically affirmed his identity as a Sri Lankan, dispelling all division due to language, ethnicity, religion or race.  

As Day Two also brought with it the first ever workshops that needed to be conducted by us- the Dream Team 2012- mistakes were inevitably made. In fact, if I learned one thing through the workshops of our first day on the road, it’s that there are always a lot of things that can go wrong. Things don’t always go according to plan [or schedule for that matter], miscommunications do take place and, in many circumstances, chaos could ensue. However, what we’ve realized, in just the course of two days, is that we’re in this together. What is already apparent amongst this incredibly diverse, yet like-minded group of individuals, is that we’re all there for one another, and each moment is a learning process, a step along the journey, a journey in which there is yet a long way to go.

Ratnapura Dharmapala College , Yohan's Perspective

by Yohan Perera

Our first thoughts on going to Ratnapura was negative. The main reason being the workshop at Kegalle Balika and the fact that we had to travel 2 and half hours for one school. It was my Manjula, Alex, Thushan and myself who left to Ratnapura at 4am on the 14th of October 2011. We didn't know what awaited us but Alex had a hunch that it was going to be something well planed. 

His words were right cause the moment we got down, there were students dressed up in vivid national costumes representing the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers. Indeed a shocker for all of us. Being 19, it was a very moving experience when small kids gave betel leaves and worshipped us. That was just the begining. The assembly was packed with cultural dances, acts ,songs etc. We felt that the whole team should have been their to experience the amazing commitment and the sense of love that the people in Rathnapura had towards the cause.

Reconciliation was not a new word for them because their school had so many quotes regarding peace and hope. After the assembly they gave us a small token to show their appreciation and this was the first time a school treated us so well. Their hearts were transparent. The students there were filled with loving words and caring gestures. The Deputy Principal of the school was very enthusiastic about the whole concept of youth led reconciliation. He was taken up by Thushan's contribution to SLU. And as always Thushan made many friends.

We all left with a warm feeling in  our hearts. Knowing that we have made lasting friendships and won a part in the hearts of the people in Ratnapura. Let us Reconcile, Let us do as much as we can to make a sustainable change.