Goodwill tour to promote inter-ethnic harmony

Pictures and text by Priyadarshani Kahawala Ingiriya Central Group

Students, teachers and parents of the Aduragala Tamil Junior College, Ingiriya recently visited the Gurugoda Junior College on a goodwill mission to promote inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations under a programme organized by Gurugoda Junior College Principal Ajith Premakumara.

Tamil school girls dance with Sinhala school boys

Tamil school girls mark dots on Sinhala students’ foreheads

Aduragala Tamil College students were brought to the school by their Sinhala friends in a colourful procession.

The chief guest was welcomed by Tamil school girls according to Tamil tradition. Students of both schools worshipped at the shrine room and the image of Sarasvathi. Thereafter they displayed their skills of dancing, singing, drama etc.

Both groups then sat at the table and enjoyed Sinhala and Tamil traditional food. Later parents, teachers and residents in the area joined the students in a Kawadi dance.

All danced together as brethren of one nation.

The parting was quite emotional and they said their goodbyes in the hope of meeting each other once again. The chief guest P D Ranjith Premasiri, Assistant Director of Education (Administration), Zonal Education Office, Horana said, every school in Sri Lanka should organize such programmes to enhance inter-ethnic relations to establish sustainable peace and promote reconciliation. Education (Primary) Assistant Dirctor G D Wikrama, Education (Tamil) Assistant Director T U A Wahaab, Senior Lecturer Piyasena Peris, Zonal Education Director P D Sunil, teachers and instructors also participated at this occasion.