Schools actively involved in national reconciliation

Bampalapitya Hindu College with over 700 students is actively involved in national integration under the ‘Reconciliation Friendly Schools Program’ initiated by President Maithripala Sirisena as the Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation. 

The Reconciliation Friendly School Program was held at Bambalapitiya Hindu College last week and Bryce Hutchesson, Australian High Commissioner for Sri Lanka participated as Chief Guest. 

The objective of this event is to promote national integration and reconciliation among school teachers and children and empower school children as peace messengers and peace advocates in the society. 

The program emphasises that in a pluralistic society it is important to recognise the multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural and multi-regional diversities as a source of strength and richness while inculcating the concept of mother-land as a theme for stronger integration and reconciliation, said V. Sivagnanasothy, Secretary, Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation.

The school children and participants expressed the need for healing, reparation, transitional justice and arrangements for non-recurrence as important elements in the reconciliation process. Religious fanatism, ethnic extremism, regional extremism and racism and the economic imbalances have affected the national unity, co-existence, peace and reconciliation in the past. Lacks of trust, mutual understanding and heartedness have created divisions and segregation among societies in specific pockets. Shortsighted political and vested groups have been instrumental in creating disturbances through hate speeches and religious and ethnic clashes in such places.  The integration friendly school program aims to create a change in the attitude, mindsets and behavioral patterns which calls for respect of other religions and ethnicities as a way forward, said Sivagnanasothy. 

The Government policy on official languages and singing the National Anthem in both languages has strengthened integration process. The reconciliation declaration was read in all three languages and the students and the school administration committed to continue the discussions as an ongoing activity in the school assembly. 

All the special dignitaries spoke about the integration and reconciliation and the Australian High Commissioner explained the experiences of Australian indigenous community reconciliation initiatives as a success story.