Students highlight Lanka's diverse culture and unity

Thousands of students from the four corners of the country gathered in Colombo last week to take part in a procession which highlighted Sri Lanka's diverse culture and the value of unity, peace and harmony.

Organised for the fourth consecutive year by the Education Ministry the grand cultural fiesta, Esala Maha Sisu Perahera, attracted over 15,000 students from 229 schools of all Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim ethnicities.

A unique feature was the attendance of religious dignitaries of all faiths walking hand in hand with their counterparts to show respect and tolerance.

The procession featured Kandyan, low country, Tamil, Hindu and Muslim cultural items and Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic religious items with over 100 students taking part in each of them.

Over five-hundred samaneras also walked in the procession from Mahanama College, Colombo to the Gangaramaya temple.

It proceeded via Visakha Vidyalaya, Thurstan College, Royal College and along Galle Road near Temple Trees, Rotunda Gardens and Navam Mawatha to reach its destination.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who watched the procession from a special pavilion in front of Temple Trees, commended the young students. Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge and Deputy Minister Mohan Lal Grero were also present.

- Manjula