The youth of the country is bestowed with an enormous responsibility as regards the future of the nation. Yet it is doubtful whether they have really understood their role in Nation Building. It is also somewhat hazy whether the existing system of education would usher in the desired goal of prosperity.
As a partial remedy, it is proposed to conduct a one-day workshop, on a district basis, for all the students selected for admission to our national universities. The event will be held in their respective districts.

There is a certain amount of uncertainty that looms large in the minds of these students as regards fulfilment of their life's desires, viz. Personal triumph, achievement, and a secure future through University Education. The lack of proper understanding of one's responsibilities and obligations towards society, on the part of certain students at least, can be considered as another drawback.

The end result is that the society does not receive the expected benefit from the educated youth of the country. One way of solving this dilemma is to inculcate a benevolent attitude and a sense of patriotism amongst the university student population. The ideal moment for such an activity is when selections have been made and the students waiting to commence their university career.

The aims of the workshop are:

1. To offer sincere congratulations and good wishes of the district, on their qualifying for admission to the national universities.
2. To enable them to develop confidence and feeling of a secure future.
3. To inculcate in them a benevolent attitude to society, and obtain their dedicated services and supreme effort to achieve societal goals.
4. To enable the students of the district who have been selected to different Universities in the country, to get to know each other.
It is thus expected that this workshop will provide the foundation for the formation of an intelligent, disciplined and well-meaning youth force that will guide their respective fields and along the desired path to realize the ultimate goals of the nation.
The theme : Sarasavi Pivisum - Nijabim Abhiman (The district salutes its university entrants)
Resource persons:
1. Priest/Religious dignitary from the district
2. Respected teacher in the district
3. University teacher
4. A shining example of a leading professional in the district
5. The Government Agent
6. The Director of Education

Short Musical/Dance item (arr anged from a school in the district)

Workshop for parents

To stress the importance of monitoring the progress of their sons/daughters. This would enable identification of special circumstances, deficiencies, disabilities etc. and may initiate the development of a counselling service. This workshop could be held on the same day.
Other probable benefits of the workshop

1. A sense of pride and dignity in the students due to a sense of belonging to intelligentsia of the district
2. A collective feeling of belonging to a body of educated youth
3. A sense of realization of their duties and obligations to the less fortunate in the district
4. An honour and pride to their respective parents, teachers and schools
5. A source of pride and encouragement to the student population of the district

These workshops commenced in 2007, in the Moneragala and Polonnaruwa districts. In 2008, it was held in Moneragala, Badulla, Polonnaruwa and Hambantota. In the year 2009, it was held in Moneragala, Ampara, Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa. On 7th August 2010, the programme was held in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu.

On 8th August 2010, it was held in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Hambantota. "…We congratulate you and offer our good wishes, on being selected to the highest seat of learning in the country, the University, on your own merit. To convey the felicitation and good wishes of the countrymen, for the great achievement of all sons and daughters selected to all the National Universities, this ceremony - "Sarasavi Pivisum - Nijabim Abhiman" has been arranged, district wise. The first ever such programme was held in the Moneragala District, in 2007.

Your entry into the university is a pride to your place of birth, to your parents, teachers, fellow students and fellow countrymen. All of them, together with the university teachers and present undergraduates join hands in offering their good wishes and felicitations on this great success of yours. This felicitation ceremony symbolizes their utmost happiness and love towards you.

This felicitation ceremony will enable you to get to know your compatriots selected to the various universities. This is all the more important because it is this same lot that will be the future professionals, in their respective fields. We urge you to make full use of this opportunity and get top know your fellow students.

We cordially invite you, along with your parents and other well-wishers, to this ceremony where you will receive the blessings and felicitations of all who rejoice with you, on your great achievement".... was how the students and their parents were invited. The students were invited in this manner, by the respective District Secretaries.

There was an air of festivity around the District Secretariat, Mutthiah Hall and the Railway Station in Vavuniya, on the 7th and the Weerasingham Hall in Jaffna on the 8th. Vavuniya programme - (Attended by students in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu Districts)

The Registration of students was done at the Vavuniya District Secretariat, and the students were taken in buses to the Railway Station where two school bands, scouts and decorated dancers were in attendance.

From there they were conducted in a colourful procession to the venue of the function, the Muththiah Hall. At the entrance to the hall, they were received by the organisers comprising of the Vavuniya GA Mrs. P.S.M. Charles, Additional GA Mr. Nadaraja Thirugnanasampanther, Dr. L. A. W. Sirisena (Council Member, Sri Jayawardenapura University), S. J. Yogaraja (Kelaniya University) Dr. Shantha Abayasinghe (Open University) and Ms. Madhushika Liyanapathirana (Sri Jayawardenapura University).

Dr. Sirisena, welcoming the students and parents, speaking in Tamil, explained the significance of the occasion and reminded the students of the dignified position they held in the country, and urged them never to demean such exalted position. He also reminded them of their duty towards their parents and the country; he also urged them to enhance their English knowledge, as that coupled with their technical knowledge and skills would open up opportunities in the whole wide world.

Mr. S.J. Yogaraja, Senior Lecturer, University of Kelaniya, stressed the importance of displaying maturity in interpersonal relationships. He advised the students on matters relating to selecting life partners and the principles of harmonious living. Advice was also given on how to utilize the university facilities to the best advantage of the student.

The District Secretary Vavuniya addressed the gathering and stressed on the students to have a clearly defined target, and work hard to achieve it. She also requested the parents to encourage the students and follow up their progress.

Two dance items by school children were well appreciated.
A local organization, Seva Lanka provided refreshments. A memento, in the form of a book, on topics of acquiring life skills, written by an eminent scholar and counsellor, was presented to each student.
All in all, it was a well organized colourful event, by the cooperative effort of the Sri Jayewardenapura University and the District Secretariat of Vavuniya, with the assistance of the generous public and the schools of the area. Being the first of its kind held in the district, it drew the attention of many, and the wish of all present was that it be made an annual event.

The Jaffna event (attended by students of Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts)
Students and parents were gathered from the early hours of the morning, outside the Weerasingham Hall. The students were all taken to a spot about 100 metres away and conducted in a colourful procession, led by a school band. Just before commencement of the procession, there was a minor incident where a Police party confronted the organisers but it was soon settled.

It was a pleasant sight to see the Lady District Secretary and the Vice Chancellor walk along side the students. As the procession wound its way to the Weerasingham Hall, the parents of the students lined the road and were seen greeting, and being greeted by the students. At the entrance to the hall, the organisers were seen welcoming the students with clasped hands and chanting "Vanakkam Mahane, Vanakkam Mahale" as the students were conducted to their seats.

Dr. Sirisena, welcoming the students and parents, speaking in Tamil, explained the significance of the occasion and reminded the students of the dignified position they held in the country, and urged them never to demean such exalted position. He also reminded them of their duty towards their parents and the country; he also urged them to enhance their English knowledge, as that coupled with their technical knowledge and skills would open up opportunities in the whole wide world.

Mr. S.J. Yogaraja, Senior Lecturer, University of Kelaniya, stressed the importance of displaying maturity in interpersonal relationships. He advised the students on matters relating to selecting life partners and the principles of harmonious living. Advice was also given on how to utilize the university facilities to the best advantage of the student.

The Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University explained to the gathering of the extraordinary significance of this occasion, where a team of university teachers from the South, led by a Sinhala professional, an eminent Gynaecologist in the country, who is also a Council Member of the Sri Jayewardenapura University, came to the North to felicitate the university entrants. He was also highly appreciative of the speech in Tamil, made by the Sinhala doctor. This was the first time that such an event took place in the North, and said it augurs well for the future of the country. He expressed his sincere appreciation of the efforts of Dr. Sirisena in social development activities. He also urged the students to fulfil their life's ambition by making use of the facilities given in the universities and performing well.

The District Secretary Jaffna, Mrs. Emelda Sukumar addressed the gathering and thanked the organisers for thinking of such an event to felicitate the students and urged the students to have a clearly defined target, and work hard to achieve it. She also requested the parents to encourage the students and follow up their progress. She said that the programme was new to the area and therefore did not have much knowledge about it. Now that she realises its value in building up the life of the students and parents alike, that she will make every endeavor to hold this annually, and also wished that there should be separate programmes for the two districts.

Mr. S. Laleesan, of the Kopay Teachers College spoke on the spiritual and cultural uplifting in a student's life. Two dance items by school children were well appreciated.

The staff of the District Secretariat provided refreshments. A memento, in the form of a book, on topics of acquiring life skills, written by an eminent scholar and counsellor, was presented to each student.
All in all, it was a well organized colourful event, by the cooperative effort of the Sri Jayawardenapura University and the District Secretariat of Jaffna, with assistance of the generous public and the schools of the area. Being the first of its kind held in the District, it drew the attention of many, and the wish of all present was that it be made an annual event.