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September 21 - The International Day of Peace.
"Towards
Reconciliation"
Peace Week in Jaffna 15 th - 21 st of September 2009
It was the Jaffna Peninsula had a grand Peace Week celebration
commemorating the International Peace Day. The week was organized by the
Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Jaffna to awaken the people to
express their longing and aspiration for peace. We had four different
significant events during the Peace Week. These events were:
- Peace Week Competition
- Peace Day Budges Distribution
- Peace Week Training Programme
- Peace Day Cultural Programme
The peace week competition
The center has conducted essay and drawing competitions at the school
and village level children groups. Youth groups too were encouraged to
participate in the competition likes kooththu, supper singer, drama
competition, and cricket and basket ball. The main purpose was to make
the people aware of the need for peace and lead them towards
reconciliation. We strongly believed that our peace activities,
competition and games will be the impetus for our children and the youth
to bring about peace and reconciliation in a conflict and past conflict
situation. The total number of the participation in this peace week
programme approximately was 2000. Each winner was selected by the judges
and the prizes have been awarded during the peace day cultural programme
which was held in Kaithady Saraswathy community centre.
Peace
day budges distribution
During the peace week the centre printed 40000 budges and distributed to
150 schools in Jaffna district. “Towards Reconciliation” was the motto
of the peace week; imprinted peace messages have been also distributed
to the children to raise the awareness of Peace among the people. The
volunteers have taken the initiative to distribute the badges and the
peace message while gathering the children and the youth for different
awareness programme.
Peace week Training programme
Different work shop and seminars have been organized to the youth to
develop their personality. Rev. Fr. Selvaratnam OMI had guided the youth
using interesting method to make the youth to participate the programme.
The main purpose of this work shop was to make them good leaders of our
society. The total number of participant was 200 from different villages
in Jaffna.With the help of Mr.Vimalanathan Pre School advisor (Jaffna
zone education) the centre has organized the Child Friendly Space
Programme for the village children which were held on 27th August 2009.
Cultural Programme
It was quite appropriate to celebrate the peace day in Kaithady on 21st
September 2009. Director of National Peace council Dr. Jehan Perera, and
the group of singales together with the Religious leaders have graced
the occasion. Rev Fr. F.L.N. Croos. OMI (First Councilor, Oblates of
Mary immaculate, Province of Jaffna) was the chief guest of the
Programme while Rev.Fr. Anthonithas the procurator General of diocese of
Jaffna, Dr. Jehan Perera (Executive Director NPC) were the Guest of
honours. Rev. Walimuwapatane Priyarathana Thero and Prof.
P.Balasundarampillai (Emeritus professor & Former Vice-Chancellor,
University of Jaffna) was our special guest.
Traditional band group as well as the group of children was leading the
group of guest to the stage. Having lit the traditional lamp the guest
have proceeded to the stage where the director of Centre for Peace and
Reconciliation has delivered the welcome speech.We have three hours
cultural programme which includes drama, dance, songs, speech and
distribution of gifts of the winners. The programme came to an end with
the traditional play which was performed by group of Girl who has won
the 1st prize in the competition.
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