Leaders’ Workshop Empowers Youth in Rural Sri Lanka
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Rakwana, Sri Lanka – The "My Day, My Rights” Young Leaders’ Summit took place on October 3-4, 2026, at the Rakwana Temple in Rathnapura District, Sri Lanka. The program was organized under the guidance and leadership of UPF-Sri Lanka and Religious Youth Service (RYS) Sri Lanka, with the total project budget raised through generous donors and sponsors.
The summit was guided by senior leadership, including Dr. Chula Senarathna, secretary general of UPF-Sri Lanka, and Mrs. Dinesha Liyanasuriya, secretary general of RYS Sri Lanka, who provided institutional vision, advisory oversight and commitment to youth development. The overall planning, logistics, resource gathering and venue coordination were executed by Mr. Pulinda Prabath, national organizer of RYS Sri Lanka, as chief project organizer. Ground coordination, session implementation, child participant engagement, and meal logistics were managed by Ms. Achini Dilhani, the main coordinator and an RYS member.
Over the course of the two days, the summit delivered a comprehensive program designed to empower local children and youth. Key activities included interactive lectures on children's rights and personal responsibility, outdoor group dynamics and leadership exercises, a creative drawing competition, and a night campfire session for youth bonding. Every child present was gifted a complete set of school supplies to support their educational journey. Full hospitality was maintained throughout, providing morning tea, nutritious lunch and evening snacks to all participants.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks honoring the sponsors, donors, organizers and local temple hosts, whose contributions made this initiative a resounding success for the children of Rathnapura District.
This project was organized to address the educational and social needs of children and youth in rural communities in the Rathnapura District. In underprivileged areas like Rakwana, children often lack essential educational materials, personal empowerment workshops, and opportunities for creative engagement. By combining leadership development with material support, the project sought to promote children's rights, peace education and social welfare. It provided a tangible platform to demonstrate grassroots humanitarian care, strengthen local community relationships, and empower the next generation of compassionate leaders in Sri Lanka.
