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Twenty Canadian youth here on study tour

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

A batch of 20 Canadian youth have arrived here on a three month study tour under the Sri Lanka-Canada International Youth Exchange Program implemented by the National Youth Services Council.

The visiting youth team is now participating in youth development activities in Dewalamulla in Matara district and Balangoda in the Ratnapura district in association with Youth Clubs in the areas.

Youth Services Officer Chandrasiri Wanigasinghe,the Coordinator of the Matara youth program said this youth exchange program is aimed to strengthen the bilateral relationships between the youth in two countries while providing them the opportunity to study socio, economic and cultural backgrounds of the two countries.

He said commencing this youth exchange program, a batch of 20 Sri Lankan youth representing Youth Clubs, sports teams and cultural troupes made a three month study tour of Canada in August last year. The Canadian World Organisation welcomed these Sri Lankan youth and provided them the opportunity to live with 20 Canadian families in the Kreston and Invamyar states.

The Canadian youth team accompanied the Sri Lankan youth on their return to Sri Lanka. The Canadian youth are now putting up in several selected homes at the Puhulwella village and work in several key places like Aparakka Ayurevedha Hospital, Kirinda Cultural Centre, Dewalamulla Kanista Vidyalaya and the Agriculture Faculty of the Ruhunu University.

Miss Alson Steuart, the co-ordinator of the Matara Canadian youth group said that they have now obtained an insight about the Sri Lankan life styles and the other social and cultural traditions. She said the Sri Lankans are a very friendly and hospitable people. " Therefore we will always keep Sri Lanka in our minds".

Meera, a 20-year-old girl from the Province of British Colombia said that Sri Lanka is a country full of scenic beauty with a very salubrious climate. During this tour, we could visit several key places in the country like Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and the Pinnawela Elephant orphanage. She said that she was very impressed with Sri Lankan batik paintings and masks traditions. "She promised to come back to Sri Lanka again.". 

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