Sunday Times 2
Marching on the ‘Peace Road’
View(s):The Peace Road project aims to promote and support global peace. Under the theme of “Peace Road towards Reconciliation and Unity in Sri Lanka” Peace Road 2016 the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) held a march on July 9 to create awareness of their mission. After a brief meeting at the Vihara Maha Devi park open air theatre, 150 cyclists and walkers was led by the Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Hesha Withanage riding a bike went up to Independence Square and returned to the park.
Marching on the 'Peace Road'
The programme started with the prayers and blessings from religious leaders. The welcome speech was delivered by Secretary General of UPF Sri Lanka Dr. Chula Senaratne.
The programme was introduced by Dr. Edgar Tanate –Education Director of UPF – South Asia. A peace message was delivered by Deputy Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Gas Anoma Gamage and the Peace declaration was delivered by Ratnapura District parliamentarian Hesha Withanage.
There were also blessings for unity and reconciliation of Sri Lanka according to the Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Christian religions respectively. The president of the Youth Federation for World Peace delivered a blessing representing the youth of Sri Lanka.
This also marked the Sri Lankan effort to support the worldwide campaign to have an International Peace Highway that will connect the nations of the world . Peace Road 2016 in Sri Lanka is a joint effort of Universal Peace Federation, United Nations Information Center, National Youth Services Council, Youth Federation for World Peace, Chain-of-Unity, several governmental and non-governmental organisations.
The UPF is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. The co-founders of UPF are Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon from Korea.