M/S Fuji Maru cruises to the Lankan shore:

Bonding nations

Sachitra MAHENDRA
 

It seems quite a snail's pace from afar. But the M/S Fuji Maru has its usual speed. To see it reaching the Colombo Port inch by inch is a dream coming true. As a Participant Youth (PY) on this very ship, two years ago, I never divined I would see it sailing towards Colombo Port.

And it came to pass, after 16 years.Of course I was among the lot who looked forward to seeing the giant sweetheart yet again. It is nothing but a pile of emotionless substances. But only an ex participant would have a real feel - with a pile of emotions attached to it.

The 24th edition of Ship for World Youth (SWY 24) reached Colombo Port on February 16 around 10.40 am on Fuji Maru, which was earlier known as Nippon Maru.

National Youth Services Council (NYSC) Chairman Lalith Piyum Perera, Ship for World Youth Alumni Association Sri Lanka (SWYAASL) Key Person Thushara Deepal Dias Dahanayaka and Buddhika Iddamalgoda officially welcomed the Participant Youths (PY) to Sri Lanka. The SWY Sri Lanka Alumna members who represented the ex-PYs and Sri Lanka Youth who represented National Youth Services Council (NYSC) were present too.

Youth Affairs Minister Dulles Alahapperuma, Youth Affairs Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayaka, Japanese Ambassador, Embassy officials, NYSC Chairman Lalith Piyum Perera Colombo University Vice Chancellor Prof Kshenika Hiruburegama and many distinguished guests graced the welcome reception onboard.

Course discussions

Fuji Maru docked in Colombo Port Ex Participant Youths with the flags of participant countries SWYAA SL Key Person Thushara Dahanayaka with the schoolchildren of Madabawita Kanishta Vidyalaya Ex Participant Youths (in red) with Participant Youths on board Fuji Maru

February 17 morning was scheduled for institutional visits according to course discussions (see box). The travel - even to remote areas such as Pinnawala, off Kegalle - was convenient and smoother thanks to the escort provided by Sri Lanka Police, which cleared the traffic.

NYSC was place for three course discussions: Cross cultural understanding, Leadership development and Volunteerism. Initiated in 1969, NYSC has been the centre for youth development. Its role was broadened with the introduction of National Youth Service Act in 1979.

The Council has become the only state organization which is capable of policy making, planning and co-coordinating youth activities at national level and whose objective is to promote the interests of the youth.

The theme of the 'Education' course discussion was 'ideal teacher's role' held at D S Senanayaka College. A public school, named after the first Prime Minister of independent Sri Lanka, the college was established on February 10, 1967. Information and Media course discussion PYs could get a thorough idea on the structure of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC). Sri Lanka Rupavahini is the national television network telecast in three languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English, was created by an Act of Parliament on January 23, 1982. Following a guided tour, the PYs had the opportunity to be in a forum which was telecast live on television. They had an interaction session with Rupavahini Chairman Mohan Samaranayaka and other executive officers.

‘Sustainable lifestyle’ course discussion was on various indigenous methods of healing at the Bandaranaike Memorial Ayurvedic Research Institute (BMRI).

In 1936 it was decided to establish an indigenous institute. Even though it received state recommendation, nothing did materialise. In 1947 the Guptha Commission deplored the lack of facilities for research and recommended the steps to be taken. These recommendations did not work either.

Prime Minister S W R D Bandaranaike directed the eminent Ayurvedic doctor Pandith Shiva Sharma work on a report Ayurveda development in Sri Lanka. Later the recommendations did materialize.

The place selected for housing the research institute was spacious and valuable building standing on a land of 17 acres in extent on the Old Kottawa Road, Nawinna, Maharagama. The Research Institute was ceremonially declared open by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on October 14, 1962. The entire expenditure on the Research Institute was met from the Hospital Lotteries Fund. A library, a pathological laboratory and a model herbarium were started to aid the work of the Institute.

Professor Amal Jayawardene delivered the main lecture to the 'International Relations' course discussion PYs on foreign policy of Sri Lanka, with relation to the participating countries in SWY 24. The discussion was held at the Department of International Relations, Colombo University. Issues on post war development, gender, health, HR and related subjects were discussed at a Q&A session. Colombo University Vice Chancellor Kshenika Hirimburegama also took part.

These institutional visits were followed by a traditional Sri Lankan lunch at the NYSC premises. Though the PYs had already been treated to the refreshments at the respective institutions, they enjoyed cuisine to the brim.

Angampora is a martial art style indigenous to Sri Lanka. Avoiding any threat, physical strength to carry heavy tasks such as breaking rocks apart, and various other fighting styles that come under Angampora were exhibited to a spellbound audience.

Fuji Maru and Sri Lanka Youth played soccer to strengthen the port of call friendship. Sri Lanka Youth emerged winners in both male and female matches. The cultural presentation was really a show. The stage, decorated in the shape of a ship, was house for many cultural shows from various countries such as Sri Lanka, Japan, Bahrain, Venezuela, Turkey and Russia. The audience was welcomed to the show with a traditional Ves dance. The many indigenous rhythms of Sri Lankan dance took the audience by surprise.

On February 18 the PYs had the rare opportunity to visit one of the world's biggest elephant orphanages, which is Pinnawala. They had memorable moments cuddling, caressing and feeding the elephants, both baby and adult.

Volunteering lessons

The next session was divided between Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara and Madabawita Kanishta Vidyalaya, Danowita. Temple's Chief Incumbent Ven Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhita Thera enlightened them on the significance of the temple. Participant Youths who chose Madabawita Kanishta Vidyalaya were engaged in various voluntary activities with the schoolchildren.

Speaking to the national leaders of participant countries on February 19 at Sakura Salon of Fuji Maru, President Mahinda Rajapaksa elaborated how the unnecessary Western involvement wastes Sri Lanka's precious time.

He also gave a brief evaluation how east and north contributes to the country's development. Following a brief Q&A session with the young leaders, he toured the bridge with Captain. President Rajapaksa took a moment to pose for a picture at Pacific Hall of Fuji Maru with SWY 24 PYs and gifted them each a unique Sri Lankan gem.

Sri Lanka Youth headed by Lalith Piyum Perera offered their maximum support during the port of call period. Their organisation was simply impressive, which gave all PYs a memorable experience.

SWY 24’s stay of four days is quite a period. Seldom does the Fuji Maru stay for such a lengthy period at a port of call. The port of call activities ended in success owing to the painstaking efforts of both SWYSLAA and Youth Sri Lanka.

"I'm so surprised to see how hospitable Sri Lankans are. It counts a lot more than the nature and other beauties your country offers," said a participant youth in an emotional note.

One more child goes to school

SWYAASL initiated this project in collaboration with International Youth Exchange Organisation (IYEO) three years ago. The project has helped 50 children of Buddha Jayanthi Vidyalaya, Matara.

The project has given a toilet in 2009, 15 white boards, five cupboards and a new sound system in 2011. Funds were used for the savings accounts of schoolchildren as well. The project's funds derive from the charity events held by IYEO members, in addition to the funds by ex-participants.

Apart from the project, which is headed by Mayumi Kobayashi and Sayoko Tanaka, SWYAASL is also helping 75 children from different districts.

Genesis of the SWY

The programme was initially baptised as 'Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission Programme', an international youth exchange programme of the Cabinet Office in 1959. It was a brainchild of the Prime Minister Kishi to celebrate the then Crown Prince's marriage.

The programme was improved as 'Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise Programme' in 1967 to commemorate the centennial of the Meiji restoration. Both programmes offered an opportunity for the Japanese youth to sail overseas - something that was quite difficult at the time.

The programme became what it is now - Ship for World Youth Programme, or SWY - in 1988. Its main objective, which was sending the Japanese youth abroad, progressed with more activities. A new bond was anticipated between Japanese and foreign youth. More activities, discussions and seminars had been introduced.

The programme's objective became manifold: broadening the global view of the Japanese youths, promoting mutual understanding, friendship between Japanese and foreign youths, cultivating the spirit of international cooperation, competence to practise it, and to foster the youths with leadership.

The SWY could establish networks and promote joint activities among youths around the world through joint activities onboard. It has become the epitome of international society with wide variety of cultures and ideas, making a visible international contribution from the perspective of human resource development.

About 140 Japanese youths (JPY) and 140 overseas participant youths (OPY) would live together onboard, engaged in various multilateral exchange activities such as studying and discussing common issues from a global viewpoint on board and in the countries visited.

Alumni Association

Each country has an association, for ex participant youths (ex PY), founded for the purpose of continuing the spirit that was fostered through the Ship for World Youth (SWY) programme. The basic structure of the Ship For World Youth Alumni Association (SWYAA) begins with the President (one person), Vice Presidents (two people), and email recipients (two people) who are responsible for electronic information exchange.

The main activities of the SWYAAs include, but are not limited to, updating contact information for members, planning and managing post-program activities such as those that contribute to society in their country, strengthening ties with Japanese Embassies and the Government of Japan, as well as supporting future participants of the programme.

Coincidentally we are now celebrating 60 years of friendship with Japan. As a country, we doff our hat with gratitude to the Government of Japan for extending a programme of this calibre. May our friendship last longer!

(The writer was a Participant Youth at the SWY 22)