On board Nippon Maru: down memory lane

Ajith Sirimanna

With the Fuji Maru, one-time Nippon Maru, about to reach Sri Lankan shores on February 16, a previous Sri Lankan delegate recalls memories of having been on board twice. Thushara Dahanayaka took part in the Ship for World Youth Programme, first as a delegate and second as the National Leader representing Sri Lanka.

Q: Tell us your encounter with the ship in brief

A: I was just 21 years when I first heard about the Ship for World Youth Program. At first I thought it will be a great chance to visit many countries and see the world. But I was in no way prepared for its impact.

SWY has been the turning point in my life.

Not only was it my first time to get on a plane and fly, it was also my first time to sail in the sea. On top of everything, I was among the youngest of the delegation. I was nervous.

Q: How was your relationship with the delegation.

A: It was wonderful. The delegation was like a family, typical of Sri Lanka. We used familiar terms calling each other 'aiya' (elder brother) and 'akka' (elder sister). We had already formed a strong bond during the orientation we had in Colombo. Prathap, Buddhika, Viraj and Wijaya were the seniors. Maheshi was truly our elder sister. Hirosh, Nilakshi, Nandini and myself were 'the juniors'. Hasanthi was the youngest in our group, though you would never guess it in the way she talks!

Q: How would you recall your stay in Japan, back then?

A: We stayed for two weeks, and that period was simply unforgettable. Our home stay was organized in the Kumamoto prefecture. Hirosh and I got the same home to stay. Our host parents took us to see a volcano which was the first time we had ever seen anything like that in our life. We had a very nice time with them although it was a very short time.

After spending two weeks in Japan we started sailing from the Harumi Port Tokyo with a massive celebration. Many of the participants got sea sick as it was first time in a ship for most of them. Buddhika was the most affected Sri Lankan. Even though I felt bad for him, I was relieved I was spared!

Q: How did the programme go onboard?

A: The program was full of activities: seminars, sports activities, national presentations from each country, exhibitions, club activities; and many parties - both impromptu and planned. I remember the Indians and the Sri Lankans loved the food on the ship though they always craved for a bit more extra spice.

Suddenly, the two delegations bonded - we would often talk about spices from back home. Sometimes, when we visited a country we all went out and bought spices, which we then brought inside the cabin and made our own little spicy dishes (do not try this - this might not be allowed) then take it to the dining room to mix it with regular food and eat.

Q: As the Sri Lankan delegation, you had to represent the country in national presentation as well as other activities. How did you fare?

A: We really enjoyed our national presentation. The girls had practiced the pooja dance back in Sri Lanka and had even obtained traditional costumes. The boys did a veddah dance, depicting the indigineous people's culture in Sri Lanka. Our audience was delighted.

Another major incident that comes to my mind was the famous 'Sake Party Night'. Sake is the traditional and famous alcohol in Japan made from rice. None of us had experienced it before. We were served with traditional sake in a traditional wood box.

Everybody was drinking few cups in our delegation without suspecting much and everything was alright for some time. Within half an hour we all wanted go and have a dance in the sixth floor piano lounge. We cannot remember how long we danced. That was the night the Sri Lankans went down in history as friendly party people. It was then that Wijaya became really famous for his unique Sri Lankan devil dancing skills.

Q: Any unforgettable incidents?

A: We had port of call activities in Thailand, Fiji, New Zealand and Singapore. Each country had a very nice program and we enjoyed the visits.

Hirosh, who always likes to talk big, had a bit of trouble in Thailand. We all visited a temple in Thailand and street vendor was offering the python to hold and take photos for 20 bahts. Of course, without hesitation, Hirsoh said he will hold the python giving 20 bahts to the man. As soon as he got the python, Hirosh freaked out and started yelling and screaming with fear in Sinhala and running all over the place. Finally the man was able to get him (Hirosh, not the python) under control, but we could not stop laughing for hours.

Gradually the program was coming to end with so many unforgettable memories with so many incredible friends and it was really sad for everyone to say good bye. Many of the participants cried on the last day and the Sri Lankan delegation was back in Sri Lanka on December 5, 2001.

Q: The friendship treatment turned out to be different, since then. Will you explain the background?

A: Yes, the SWY story for Sri Lanka has been bitter-sweet since then. In 2002 Sri Lanka was honored to be invited by the Japanese government and tragically one delegate defected the ship in Canada. This embarrassed all the proud participants and ex-participants from Sri Lanka.

That put the generous Japanese government in a tight spot. We were all devastated how one person would jeopardize such an honour.

We had to work hard to mend our bridges. I can remember Buddhika who worked closely with Youth and Sports Ministry obtained an official letter from the then Minister Jeewan Kumaranatunga and made the first request to restore relations with the Japanese Cabinet Office. We all thank Minister Kumaranatunga for taking such an initiative and making the first attempt.

The letter was not sufficient, but it was the beginning.

In 2005, we went to the official reunion in Sydney in Australia. Sanjeewa (SWY 15), Bassa (SWY 15), Savithri (SWY 15) and Buddhika (SWY 14) and myself (SWY 14) joined the program.

We requested the Japanese officials to consider Sri Lanka as a participating country and made assurances that something like that would not happen again. They gave us an advice this time: 'Your alumni should be active'. That was a valuable advice.

Q: That's how the Sri Lankan Alumni Association of SWY came to be?

A: Yes. Our next goal was to make the Alumni active. Later I came up with a small project which we thought we can start with the support from all the ex-participants around the world.

We named the project as 'One More Child Goes to School'. The project supported children in Sri Lanka who needed financial assistance to continue their studies. We started with 10 children and today we are supporting more than 150 children. The project was recognized by ex-participants around the world and they supported and motivated us to make this project a great success.

In 2006 and 2007 Sri Lanka Alumni was becoming active. We developed a small website and also made an Annual Magazine about the activities of Sri Lanka Alumni Association. Buddhika worked really hard on this

In 2008, we were invited for a Global reunion in Japan. We thought we should go there and make our representation. But ticket-money was a big problem. We took a loan from the bank so that we would pay in installments. Bassa, Buddhika and I joined the program.

We made an official request again through Minister Jeevan Kumaranatunga's letter one more time. During the official lunch, I made sure I sit next to Director General of Cabinet Office. With so much expectation I started talking slowly about our official request.

He was not fully convinced but with my experience I knew we are not far from reaching our goal.

So with all hopes, I was eagerly waiting to see the names of the participating countries for year 2009 in the official mail sent by Tamae san from IYEO (International Youth Exchange Organization of Japan). But again it was the same. Sri Lanka was not onboard.

I was so upset. How can one person ruin everyone's chances like this? I broke the bad news to Buddhika. As usual he encouraged me not to worry. Another year passed but we continued our good work. We did what we have to do and kept everyone updated.

Again in 2010 May, I knew this is the time we get the official mail of participating countries. But I have been reading this mail for the last seven years and every time I read it my heart was full of hope. During the second week of May I got the official mail again. Guess what? Sri Lanka is finally in the participating list!!! I had to read that mail many times to confirm it.

Q: How is your experience when Sri Lanka got the chance after a huge break?

A: I was nominated as the National Leader by the embassy Of Japan. It was a challenge. I was determined to prove ourselves and make sure our past mistake was long forgotten. It was also the first year of true peace that Sri Lanka had experienced after defeating a 30 years of terrorism. So our delegation had to take the message of peace to the Ship from Sri Lanka. I must mention I got a very talented young delegation.

Bhagya and Lahiru were my able deputies. They were always with me during a problem. Nava, Ilahi, Kithsiri, Sachitra, Sasika, Nilusha, Mithundi Lakmini and Nipuna were the others in our delegation. Everybody worked so hard to make the best contribution from Sri Lanka. We always worked as one unit and our team efforts paved the way to complete a successful SWY program.

Q: What is your anticipation on the 2012 Sri Lankan delegation?

A: In 2012, not only was Sri Lanka invited to the program, but the ship announced that they will be visiting the island after 15 years! Chamil Samarasinghe, an ex-participant from the 10th SWY Programme, is the National Leader this time. I was lucky once again to witness another group of talented young members selected to represent Sri Lanka and I am sure they will do a wonderful job this time as well. Now all the alumni members are giving their best to make the Port of Call in Sri Lanka a great success.

I must thank Youth and Skills Development Minister Dulles Allahapperuma, National Youth Service Council Chairman Lalith Piyum Perea for taking the leading role and making the Port of Call Activities Program in Sri Lanka a great success.

Q: After completing a battle to regain the programme how would you view it now?

A: I feel we are back in track for the Ship for World Youth Program. It's everyone's responsibility to protect this wonderful programme and give this opportunity to other Sri Lankan youths in future. Once you become part of the SWY family, your life will never be the same again.