In what could be considered as one more joint reconciliation project of the Mother Sri Lanka Foundation at Presidential Secretariat and the Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J), a group of South-based 100 students, together with 25 teachers were facilitated to conduct interactive meeting sessions with Jaffna students during October 24-25 after they were brought to Jaffna by train.
The initiative that coincides with the recent ‘Deepavali’ festive spirits and dubbed as ‘North - South Friendship Bridge’ was organized by the 51 Division Headquarters on the directions of Major General Udaya Perera, Commander, SFHQ-J, making Jaffna students to interact with their brethren from the South.
The programme, consisted of visits to University of Jaffna, Nallur Kovil, participation in Shramadana at Keeramalai Naguleshwaran Kovil premises, staging of short dramas at Jaffna Town Council ground, presentation of upcountry and low country dancing features of the South to the music provided by the Army, participation in a mega musical show with ‘Sakura’ musicians, conduct of a free eating house at Jaffna Duraiappa Stadium, bonfire display at Thal Sevana Holiday Resort, etc.
50 undergraduates from the University of Moratuwa in Colombo also joined the tour to Jaffna with those 100 school students.
The group arrived in Jaffna Friday afternoon on ‘Yarl Devi’ to be received warmly by students and teachers of the Vembady Girls’ School and a few other Jaffna schools who had come to the railway station.
A workshop, attended by over 400 youths and adults from Jaffna and other invitees, the following day (25) at Jaffna Weerasingham Hall, educated them on relevant social issues and motivational aspects.
Lectures were conducted by Mr. S. Sathyaseelan, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Northern Province, Major General Udaya Perera, Commander, Security Force Headquarters Jaffna (SFHQ-J), Ms. Janaki Kuruppu, President Mother Sri Lanka Trust and a few others.
The team from the South took leave of Jaffna on Sunday (26) morning by train back to Colombo.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
