Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka - At St. John Bosco's Central College in Kaluaggala, celebrations of the International Day of Peace on September 20 started with hoisting of the national flag and singing of the National Anthem at the school assembly. A peace march started afterwards, and approximately 700 students walked around the town of Kaluaggala for about 4 km with banners displaying the peace messages and returned to the college.
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After refreshments, the main program started at the main hall of the school. This was inaugurated with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and singing of the National Anthem.
The Welcome Address was given by the Principal of the school, Mrs. Theresa Jayasuriya. This was followed by UN Secretary-General’s message on the UN International Day of Peace 2013 delivered by Mrs. Hiranthi Gunawardena, Information officer of the UN Information Centre in Colombo. Mrs. Kumari Wickramasinghe, Administrative Officer of the UN Office in Colombo, delivered the next presentation on the UN and its role in the post-war peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
Next a Peace Drama depicting the importance of interreligious harmony in Sri Lankan society was performed by a team of professional performers. This was directed by a well-known drama director and choreographer, Mr. Nilan Maligaspe
Following the tea break Dr. Chula Senaratne, Secretary General of UPF-Sri Lanka, delivered a guest presentation elaborating on this year’s theme “Education for Peace” based on the teachings of the founder of UPF, Rev. Sun Myung Moon.
Next, several student leaders of the school expressed their views on the UN International Day of Peace 2013 and its importance in Sri Lanka.
Books and other gifts were presented to the school, the teachers, and student leaders for their active role in organizing the Day of Peace celebrations in Sri Lanka.
A vote of thanks was delivered by the Deputy Principal of the school, Mr. Aruna Divigalle, and Head Prefect Miss Samanthi Kekulawela.
Following the main program, a special session on “Education for Peace” was conducted by the Zonal Peace Education Coordinator of the Department of Education, Assistant Director of Education Mr. E.A.W. Bandara, to the teachers of the school.
A pre-program workshop to educate the student leaders was also conducted by the UN Office in Colombo to educate them on the importance and relevance of this year’s UN International Day of Peace theme to Sri Lanka as a whole as well as to schoolchildren.
For a report about the event by the UN Information Centre in Colombo, click here.