Another successful Unity Mission camp helps build bridges
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Fun outdoors at the Camp: The sackrace in progress
Nearly 400 Youth Leaders from across Sri Lanka came together in the cool climes of Gurutalawa for the Unity Mission Trust’s ninth Unity Camp 9.
This was the Trust’s 59th successful programme, since May 2009 when they were launched in the immediate aftermath of the war with the aim of building new bridges of friendship across Sri Lanka to foster unity, integration, healing and reconciliation amongst youth while also empowering them with leadership development and self confidence.
The 9th Unity Camp with its theme of “ Powering Dreams: Building Leaders: Strengthening a Nation” was held at the end of April at Gurutalawa for youth, who were nominated to the Camp primarily through the Regional Council network of the Trust, which now numbers 17 such groups of active and operational youth, across Sri Lanka.
Chief Guest at the opening ceremony was the Chairman of the Trust, Major General ( Retd) Lohan Goonewardena. The seniormost lady Police Officer in Sri Lanka Deemathi Periyapperuma, Superintendent of Police was the keynote speaker at the second day’s seminar.
SP Periyapperuma is the only Police Officer to win a World Award for Professional Excellence, awarded by the International Police Women’s Association. Her half –day session of hard hitting home truths for youth focusing on the ill-effects of drug addiction, alcoholism, pornography, over-–usage of internet and electronic devices by was well received. Her speech also touched on sexual abuse and gave valuable advice of Police support that is available for all youth.
Sports, art and craft, music and group singing and group dance, a quiz competition, oratory and drama were some of the areas where youth were able to showcase their talents, while building friendships. The moving candle ceremony that is very special to all past Campers, wrapped up Day 3 prior to the conclusion of the camp.
Co –Founder Trustee Shyamala Pinto –Jayawardena was the Chief Guest at the prizegiving.
The main prize winners included – Best Campers: Harithi Nandasena (Colombo) and Balakrishnan Lojan (Vauniya) ; Best Group Leaders – Dhanushka Udaya Kumar (Ambalangoda) ; Maduja Abeyasundera ( Poramadulla); Best Athletes – Dulinika Bulumulla (Colombo) ; B. Ashwin Peiris (Mannar)
Best Orators – (E) – Jason Senanayake( Colombo) ; (S) – Dhanushka Udaya Kumar (Ambalangoda); ( T) –Raveenthira Kaniratharan ( Jaffna); Best Actor/ Actress – Jason Senanayake (Colombo) and Maduja Abeysundera (Poramadulla).
Special Awards for Outstanding Campers went to: Fathima Zaima (Galle); Wishmi Wickremasinghe (Ratnapura), Thiruchelvam Sangavi (Killinochchi),Dulinika Bulumulla (Colombo, Kavindra Senarathna (Colombo) and Maheshi Nonis (Matara).
Chairman of the Unity Mission Trust Major General (Rtd) Lohan Goonewardena stated that it is always “an emotional experience to witness youth who have never met, building long lasting bonds of friendship by Day 4 by the end of Camp.”
Founder Trustee and Co-Ordinator Bertal Pinto – Jayawardena stated “it is amazing that even though we have completed well over 50 major projects over nine years, including nine Camps, that we keep on improving and fine-tuning the manner in which we run our events, in order to positively impact young lives that will contribute towards building a united and successful future for Sri Lanka.”
The Trust invites caring Sri Lankans to partner their continuing work. More information can be obtained from Facebook ( @unitymission trust) and from the website www.unitymission.lk