The Second Phase of the cultural exchange program connecting the South Central Provinces under the auspices of the ONUR

The second phase of the cultural exchange program connecting the South Central Provinces under the auspices of the ONUR, the Nuwara Eliya-Matara program, was held from the 14th to the 17th focusing on the Matara District. The program began on August 14th at the main auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat under the patronage of the Matara District Secretary and the Nuwara Eliya Additional District Secretary, representing the Chairman of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, Ms. Sanduni Ariyawansa, with the participation of government officials from both sides and officials of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation. The main workshop on the second day of this program, which lasted for 04 consecutive days, was conducted by veteran resource person Mr. Nuwan Subhasinghe. The group that arrived that afternoon visited the homes of the Matara group and shared their close brotherhood with them. Their respectful and trusting feelings were further confirmed not only by the hospitality that the guests received without any discrimination of race or religion, but also by their warm and loving welcome. The third cultural program organized featured many colorful dance, singing and musical instruments typical of the Central Province, and it was unique that cultural elements of the Southern Province were also included. The mat ceremony organized that night was a good place to further expand each other’s trust. A visit to several unique places in the South was also organized on the last day.

All the activities of the program were organized with the aim of establishing a healthy society and Sri Lankan otherness, building mutual understanding and trust, and on the last day of the program, today, the people of the South bid farewell to nearly 50 people who came from Nuwara Eliya, with the hope of meeting them again.

More than 100 people actively participated in this program, representing the South Central Province. The program was coordinated by Sudarshana J. Vidanapathirana representing the Matara District and Mr. Lahiru (District National Integration Coordinating Officer) representing the Nuwara Eliya District. Representing the Southern Province, government officials, members of Sahajeewana Sangams and many people from the villages around Thalpawila, Matara extended their loving hand of friendship and volunteered their support.

We, as Sri Lankans, are committed to building a healthy society with mutual understanding and respect, and to identifying and providing solutions to common cultural, social, economic problems at the local and national levels.

The Arts and Culture Division of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation is conducting the program and all arrangements have been made to hold the next step in Matale from the 22nd to the 25th, with the Hambantota and Matale districts as the centers.