GUIDANCE FOR NATIONAL UNllY AND RECONCILIATION TO THE SCHOOL CHILDREN...

At the student leadership symposium held at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall in Colombo on 13th January 2017 with the participation of a large number of school children, the pledge was taken by them to dedicate themselves on behalf of national unity and reconciliation. At this symposium organized by the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, H.E. President Maithripala Sirisena and also Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Chairperson of the Office participated, parallel to the National Integration and Reconciliation Week declared by the Government for school children who participated at this student leadership symposium. It was organized under"Education Towards Reconciliation"programme of the Office. Steps have been taken to present guidance in development of merit in leadership, settle­ment of conflicts and guidance towards becoming representatives of reconciliation. H.E. the President said that although children in this country are well aware of reconciliation, it is unfortunate that some elders work in terms of various agendas. The President further stated that since this programme is a fine opportunity to really understand the meaning of reconciliation children are assigned with the responsibility of making it popular.

ANEW EDUCATIONAL UNIT OPENED PROMOTING PEACE AND RECONCILIATION...

The Ministry of Education together with Office for National Unity and Reconciliation has opened a new Education Unit within the Ministry of Education towards peace and reconciliation

Through this Unit a project is underway in making students aware of national unity and togetherness. Chairperson of the Office Madam Chandrika Bandara­naiake Kumaratunga expressed her views with regard to the aims of this Unit, its programme and objectives at a press conference on this matter. Akila Viraj Kariya­wasam Minister of Education and Sunil Hettiarachchi Secretary to the Ministry who participated at this event and spoke. The School Brotherhood Project is conducted by the Office for National Unity and Reconcilliation and Minis­try of Education and Provincial councils. In addition to having various courses in the education sector divised programmes commemorating religious and cultural diversity and special training for teachers have been formulated. An operational plan which is to be handled by the new unit in the future is designed to build social harmony in the school system is also scheduled to be presented.

ANEWSUNSBINING FOR NORTH EAS'E.

A new rural development programme is now in opera­tion for the two Northern and Eastern Provinces. Several schemes like Livelihood Development Project, Rural Development Project based on Private Enterprise, Credit Scheme, Provision of Infrastructure Facilities, Education, Health, Fisheries and Community Water Supply are func­tioning under this economic co-operation programme funded by Office for the National Unity and Reconcilia­tion. This Rural Development Project targeting rural indus­tries is in operation after the Cabinet Paper in this regard presented by H.E. the President as Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. This Project launched on behalf of the people affected by war in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The aim is to develop the rural economy based on private enter­prise to promote economic and social upliftment.

This rural development project is intended for households where the chief occupant is a woman. The young generation who are unemployed would be able to improve their living standards based on entrepreneurship. The project covers 113 villages of the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Steps have been taken to provide credit and assistance necessary to raise their income level for 1,785 entrepreneurs selected through this rural development project valued at 446 million Rupees.

Under this loan scheme awarded through state and private banks a person can obtain a loan up to a maximum ofTwo Hun­dred and Fifty Thousand Rupees. For every business plan a percentage of 25% of the full credit amount is given by the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation as an award and the full interest for the relevant loan also would be paid by the Office for the National Unity and Reconciliation. This project which is an initiative of the Office for National Unity and Recon­ciliation would benefit extraordinary economic and social accomplishment which benefit the next generation.

SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM

"BURNING MEMORIES"

A special screening of the documentary film "Burning Mem­ories" directed by Film Director Mr. Somitharan regarding the tragedy that took place at the Jaffna library on 31 st May 1981 was held at the Tharangee Cinema of the National Film Corporation. After the screening of the film a discussion was held with the spectators who came to view the film, which was for an invited audience only. The Director of the docu­mentary and the audience participated in this discussion. The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation sponsored the event with the involvement of Dharmasiri Bandaranay­ake, the renowned cinematographer. The Cultural and Arts Division of the Office and the Thrikoni Cultural Foundation organized the screening.

SHOOTING OFTIm FILM WITH NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AS ITS 1HEME BEGINS ..

Shooting of the film which is being directed by three of the lea. ing film directors namely Cinematographers Prasanna Vithal age, Ashoka Handagama and Vimukthi Jayasundara whe reconciliation is its theme commenced recently. Filming is ne continuing successfully. Public release in cinemas in Sri Lanka scheduled to take place later this year. This project is inspired I the Cultural and Arts Division of the Office for National Uni and Reconciliation. This extraordinary film would be a no\ experience for the Sri Lankan public.

FORMULATING A NA110NAL POUCY ON NA110NAL UNlIY AND RBCONClLIA110N ..

Process of formulating policy for national reconciliation wa~ initiated by the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation headed by the Chairperson Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in September 2015. When preparing thi~

national policy wide ranging discussions were held with government officials, Ministries, Departments, Provincial Councils, civil society members. education experts and variom parties at ground level for over a year and their views were incorporated. Then, H.E. The President, as Minister of Nation­al Integration and Reconciliation presented a Cabinet Paper tc the Cabinet ofMinisters.

The memorandum containing the National Policy after being presented to the Cabinet of Ministers, various parties wen further consulted and advice obtained by the Office for Nation­al Unity and Reconciliation. It was decided to present the amended final National Policy on Reconciliation for Cabinel approval in order to implement same. Accordingly, H.E. The President and Minister of National Co-existence, Official Lan­guage and Dialogue Hon. Mano Ganeshan submitted a joinl Cabinet Paper approval was obtained for same.

In order to celebrate New Year, a festival named Sahajeevana Bakmaha Ule (I\Jew Year Co-existence Festival) in the Eastern Province was held on 11th ApI 2017 at the Weber Grounds in Batticaloa with the participation of families ( service personnel resident in the Eastern Province who were war victims an with all officers serving in Army, Navy, Air Force and Police Services and Sinhi lese,Tamil, Muslim communities in the area. Sponsored by the Office for th National Unity and Reconciliation, under the guidance of the Vice President ( Ranaviru Seva Authority Mrs. Upalangani Malagamuwa and conducted by th Cultural and Arts Division of the Office. This programme was held with suppo from The Ranaviru Seva Authority and Security Services including Arme Services and the Police.

THIS IS ANOTHER NEW EXPERIENCE ...n At the end of each stage play, a dialogue is held with the

DEAR CHILDREN· SINCERELY ... 11

Dear Children, Sincerely stage play has been designed with the objective of conveying to the young generation the tales of the elder generation born in the 1930 decade who witnessed with their own eyes the independence gained by Sri Lanka and its contemporary with the encounters experienced by them. This stage play produced by leading stage play directors Ruvanthi De Chikera and Tracy Holsinger was recently presented as a produc­tion of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation. Its premiere show was held at the Panibharatha Concert Hall at the Colombo Aesthetic University. A spectator community of more than one thousand were present to view this Play and Director General of Office for the National Unity and Reconciliation Mr. M. S. Jayasinghe and Ambassadors representing various countries including several foreign dignitar­ies participated as special invitees. This extraordinary stage production together with other editions of projects from the Cultural &Art Division of the Office for Nation­al Unity and Reconciliation is scheduled to go on the boards the stage play segment of the Edinburg International Festival in Great Britain in August this year. In time to come, the Office expects to stage this Play throughout the Island.

A MAN INDISPENSABLE AROUND VILLAGE AND COUNTRY-WIDE "A man much needed"

The contribution artists make to instill unity and reconciliation in . human minds is not miniscule. It is because it has been realized with experience gained during therecent past that art and culture could be one of the principal and practical paths to create reconcili­ation within the country. The Office for the National Unity and Reconciliation is providing support for this service. The latest stage play production "A Man Much Needed"by leading Play-write as well as Stage Play Producer Rajitha Dissanayake is one such production . . This Play has been created based on the experiences of a group trying to search for the lost capacity to love and on conflicts common to human beings from diverse racial and religious back­ground living in the same social environment have to face. It was with the aim of contributing to the reconciliation process launched in the country that the financial patronage of the Office for l\Jational Unity and Reconciliation was given to A Man Much Needed. Public performances commenced in 10 selected areas of the Island. The idea is to implant the above aims in society.

participation of expert speakers and the artists with refer­ence to the reconciliation process depicted the play. All the plays would be staged at 3.30 and 6.30 p.m. May 04 Horana University June 24 Galle Hall de Gold Concert Hall June 28 Kelanlya University July 21 Kegalle St.Joseph Ballka(Prlmary) School Concert Hall August 05 Negombo Rukmanl Devl Concert Hall At the State Drama Festival held in 2017 "A Man Much Needed" Play won 8 awards including Best Production, Best Direction, Best Independent stage play copy-write, Best Actor of the Year. All those art lovers who value a society working towards reconciliation are invited by the Cultural and Arts Division of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation to view the above stage plays.

A BROCHURE IN RELATION TO COLLECTIVE COMEMMORATION OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL EVENTSn Several religious and cu ltural festival events have been successfully conducted by the Cultural and Arts Division of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation in commemorating them with collective participation among school children. In order to mark a permanent and enduring step in this regard a small brochure is being envisaged to be introduced to the Sri Lankan Education field. For the purpose of collecting informa­tion and experience data island wide,a number of work­shops were held by a committee consisting of all religious leaders, scholars in the education field, officers in the education field who organized these events, principals and teachers. Everything is being organized for this brochure to be bestowed to the nation by July 2017 and financial support for this venture is accommo­dated by USAID fund. With regard to the use of this book it is the intention of the Office to conduct a series of workshops training officers in the education field, principals, teachers and students.

NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION IS BUILT UPTHROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION..

The youth in Sri Lanka can handle a special assignment to make a productive change for sustainable peace through social harmony and religious co-existence. A project named "National Unity and Reconciliation through Higher Education" has been introduced by the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation. The main intention of launching this programme in Universities is for the purpose of establishing a dialogue on social i nteg ration,

coexistence among students consisting of diverse religions and nationalities in the university community. Peace is a universal concept which can be promoted through various paths. It may be classified as internal peace,community peace and national peace. On individual community and national levels, youth could be made to participate as agents for a productive change. At the same time every citizen of this country should further promote social accountability at various levels. By conducting numerous activities at each higher education institute of the country, the university student can be co-opted for this purpose. In order to realize this idea this programme is carried out with the co-operation of the University Grants Commission and the Office for Nation­al Unity and Reconciliation. This is being activated in the following Universities and Higher Education Institutes in Sri Lanka. 01. Ruhunu University 02. Jaffna University 03. Estern University 04. Aesthetic University 05. Swami Vipulalanda Institute, Eastern University 06. Sri Lanka Bhikku University 07. Jamiya Naliimya Higher Education Institute Under this, several programmes have been launched for the university lecturers. 1. Memory Agitator Programme

- 2nd to 4th November 2016 2. Designing modules for Trainers

- 6th to 8th November 2016 - Second session 20th to 27th January 2017

3. Activity Work Plan - 9th January 2017

4. Media Consultations - 10th January 2017

5. Workshop for tutoring Trainers - Held from 4th to 6th March 2017.

THAI-PONGAl CELEBRATIONS WITH MADAM EX-PRESIDENT AS CHIEF GUEST..

Under the Collective Celebration Programme of Inter Religious and Cultural Festivals organized with the leader­ship of Cultural and Arts Division of Office for the National Unity and Reconciliation, celebration of Thai-Pongal, New Year, Poson, Ramazan, Christmas festival events centered on school children in the year 2016 were held very success­fully with the participation of 55,000 school children on Provincial, District, Educational Zone, Education Division levels to cover each Province in the Island. The main object was to make the students conscious of the impor­tance of festivals of diverse religions and nationalities, taking into account the way they are being celebrated, their special features and customs and how everyone being together can celebrate such a festival without any division of religion or nationality and also by being able to celebrate the festivals through the mixing of students representing every community and religion. Accordingly in 2017 Thai-Pongal and New Year celebrations were successfully carried out and students exceeding 100,000 representing schools from allover the Island participated.

RECONCILIATION VIA AUDIO DRAMA..

The Radio Play series of audio drama with reconciliation as its theme wriHen and directed by Mr. Malaka Devapriya, a leading artist in ti;,e radio J1)lays field. He won the best radio play copy-writing award at the Radio Awards 2016 wmmenced its recordings recently. As the first chapter of th is series play where several of the leading artists'v,oices could be heard, audio drama plays "Magical Marriage Carnival, Submerged and Wandering, The Latest Article, Memory Drill, Don't Cry Patachara" are scheduled to be produced and broadcast via Radio in the near future. Among projects from Cultural and Arts Division of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation this is one more extraordinary project.

Under this Progamme, with the leadership of Chairperson of Office for the National Unity and Reconciliation Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga,organizing togeth­er with Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Reform and Media, Sabaragamuwa Ministry of Education, Cultural and Infor­mation Technology, Embilipitiya Zonal Education Office celebrations of the national festival of Thai-Pongal was held at the Stjohn Primary School grounds at Rakwana on 19th January 2017.