Lankan youth celebrate Int'l Day of Peace

U.S. ambassador Michele J. Sison joined over seven hundred school children and local communities in Nedunkerny, Vavuniya last week to celebrate International Day of Peace.

Youth across Sri Lanka from all different ethnic backgrounds spent months preparing for this day by participating in awareness workshops, camps, cultural programmes and sports competitions that explored and discussed issues related to peace. The International Day of Peace celebrations and related activities were supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the development arm of the U.S. government.

Speaking at the International Day of Peace event, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Michele Sison said, "The United States government is proud to support each of you as you explore and embrace the true meaning of freedom, justice, peace and reconciliation. Today, each of you have the opportunity to live together, work together and share stories together to build a peaceful, prosperous future and the International Day of Peace provides a platform to contemplate peace."

Both religious dignitaries and local government officials attended the event.

During the country's 26-year conflict, the younger generations of Sri Lanka grew up amidst instability, loss of life, and destruction of property and infrastructure.

Three years after the conflict, Sri Lankan youth are engaging in activities that build peace and secure hope for the future.

The youth participating in the event learned about non-violent communication and cross-cultural coping skills, positive problem solving, and how to control community violence.

They demonstrated their trust in each other and their desire for peace by joining millions of people worldwide in observing the International Day of Peace.

The International Day of Peace celebrations were part of a USAID-supported initiative to engage Sri Lankan youth in peace-building activities, demonstrate their solidarity for peace, and raise public awareness about the International Day of Peace.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided development and humanitarian assistance in developing countries worldwide for nearly 50 years. Since 1956, the U.S. government has invested over $2 billion to benefit all the people of Sri Lanka.