Boost for reconciliation through cultural performances

Post-conflict reconciliation gets a boost as students who have excelled in dancing and cultural activities from Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Batticaloa and other areas of the North and East join others from the Anuradhapura district to display their talents at the Deyata Kirula development exhibition which began in Anuradhapura yesterday.

The performances are being organised by the 'Nena Guna Weduma", Sisu Diriya program initiated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and implemented by the Social Development Unit of the President's Office.

Nena Guna Weduma: Sisu Diriya is a program aimed at developing knowledge and virtues among the youth in order toe quip them with a disciplined and pleasant character and develop them as good Sri Lankan citizens.The dancing and cultural performances will be staged on all days of the exhibition which runs up to February 10, 2012. They will form part of the Uthuru Vasanthaya and Rajarata Navodaya special dancing and cultural show.

Nena Guna Weduma: Sisu |Diriya is in its sixth year and has benefited more than 1.5 million students from over 700 schools in the country. More than 42,000 A/L and O/L students have followed the five-day leadership trianing program.

The most recent leadership training program was held successfully in Kilinochchi recently where over 500 students participated.

Director of the President's Social Development Unit, Nandana Wiejsinghe spoke of the immense possibilities the country could derive from harnessing the youth as change agents in society.

"The youth are the wealth of this country; they are the future," said Wijesinghe. "Through this program we encourage them to re-focus their lives towards acquiring knowledge and virtues and strengthening their characters with discipline. We have competent resource persons who effectively guide them towards these goals."