Sri Lanka Event Inspires Youth to Become Peacemakers
- khwang562
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
Wathupitiwala, Sri Lanka – A program to commemorate the UN International Day of Peace brought together students and teachers at the Youth Corps Auditorium in the city of Wathupitiwala on September 22, 2025. This year’s program, organized by UPF-Sri Lanka, included more than 100 schoolchildren, 50 youth participants, and 10 staff members, continuing Sri Lanka’s longstanding tradition of marking this day in communities across the country.
The event opened with a welcome address by Major Aruna Perera, officer in charge of the Youth Corps Training Center. He warmly introduced the lecturers and facilitators, underscoring the significance of the day and its value to the participating youth.
The proceedings were led by Dr. Chula Senaratne, who delivered an inspiring speech that set a thoughtful and uplifting tone for the program. He emphasized the importance of instilling the values of peace, nonviolence, and unity among young people, and encouraged them to see themselves as future ambassadors of peace within their communities.
The program also included the official message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, delivered by Mrs. Dinesha Liyanasuriya, secretary general of Religious Youth Service (RYS) Sri Lanka. To ensure its accessibility to all participants, the message was translated into Sinhala by Mr. Pulinda Prabath, national organizer of RYS Sri Lanka. The message highlighted the global importance of the day and reinforced the collective responsibility of all people in advancing peace, tolerance, and cooperation across communities and nations.
The first guest lecture was delivered by Mr. Chamika Weerasinghe, chairperson of The Mind Carnival Inc. Mr. Weerasinghe, a certified hypnotherapist, pharmacist, and Buddhist counseling psychologist, also serves as general secretary, lecturer, and interpreter for the Global Ling Yin Tao Community, representing that body in Sri Lanka.
His lecture, entitled “Wisdom Trails: Inner Peace through Alpha Wave Activation,” focused on the role of mindfulness and self-awareness in cultivating inner peace. Through his practical and engaging approach, he encouraged young participants to cultivate awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and actions, fostering inner strength and resilience.
A highlight of his session was a 20-minute guided meditation that left many participants with a palpable sense of calm and clarity. For several youths, this was their first experience of mindful stillness, which they described as both appealing and transformative.
The second guest lecture was presented by Mr. Amintha Sugath De Silva, chairman of Vision 8 Academy Ltd. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Mr. De Silva has earned recognition for his ability to inspire and connect deeply with young audiences.
His presentation, “How Youth Leadership is Vital to Achieve Peace,” underscored the essential role of young leaders in peacebuilding. Using thought-provoking videos and real-life examples, he traced the history and consequences of Sri Lanka’s 30-year conflict – events that many of the young participants had only heard about but had not personally experienced.
Mr. De Silva stressed that Sri Lanka’s diversity of religions and cultures requires empathy, unity, and proactive leadership from the next generation to sustain peace. He called on the youth to actively take part in healing divides and preventing future conflicts. His message left a profound impact, with participants expressing both inspiration and a renewed commitment to becoming advocates of peace in their own communities.
The formal proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks by Youth Corps member Mr. Haritha Rasanjana Konara. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the celebration, noting how timely and meaningful it was for young people to engage with themes of peace and unity. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives in building a peaceful society, both now and for future generations.
The Wathupitiwala commemoration of the International Day of Peace 2025 stood as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of cultivating peace at every level of society. With its focus on nurturing young leaders, the event demonstrated the critical role of youth in carrying forward the ideals of peace, tolerance, and global solidarity.
