Colombo, Sri Lanka—UPF in cooperation with the United Nations Information Centre in Colombo (UNIC Colombo) conducted a nine-province national tour in Sri Lanka from December 4 to 13, 2015 to raise awareness of and inspire youth to work together to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN team was led by Mrs. Hiranthi Gunawardena, officer-in-charge of UNIC, Colombo. The UPF team was led by Dr. Chung Sik Yong, chair of UPF-Asia. Together, they traveled to every province in the beautiful island nation.
UPF’s presentations focused on peace and sustainable development at the micro level focusing on the family. This was complemented by the UN presentations that highlighted implementing the 17 SDGs at the community and national levels.
The tour had the support of the government of Sri Lanka at the highest levels. The President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, met with the UN and UPF teams during the tour and reiterated his government's support for the SDGs, as well as recognized the efforts of both the UN and UPF in promoting peace and empowering youth. The two delegations also met with Sri Lanka’s minister of public administration, Mr. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, and the speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya.
In addition, former Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Hon. D.M. Jayarathne, cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, chief ministers, and members of parliament, both at the national and local levels, attended and supported programs in every city.
Equally important, religious leaders, educators, and leaders of civil society also participated. Perhaps most significantly, nearly 3,000 youth leaders covering all nine venues attended these presentations.
Related Statement: UN Information Centre Colombo Statement on SDG National Tour in Sri Lanka