Peace is the converse of exploitation, marginalization and oppression in the society. While conflict, instability, poor institutions, and inadequate access to justice continue to pose significant challenges to sustainable development, preserving peace helps to restore the lost freedom and the right to a dignified life in a diverse society, which the man is entitled to from his birth. It is evident from the incidents that are reported worldwide that peace plays a crucial role in developing and keeping away an entire civilization from the threat of extinction. Even in the 21st century, when society has technologically advanced, peace continues to be an essential factor to create a safe and better world.

Among the many countries, Sri Lanka is best known and recognized for its rich social diversity and the harmonious co-existence of various communities. Even after witnessing devastating events throughout history, people did not hesitate to help each other and rise as one. However, the dark traces of conflicts are still visible and come forth as saplings. Such negativity could be eradicated if peacebuilding and conflict resolution methods are followed and if the general public is educated on them by way of awareness programs or impactful projects. 

Accordingly, the project “Rise Up Sri Lanka 2.0” carried out by the Community Service Avenue of the Rotaract Club of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura aimed to embrace different ethnic groups residing in Sri Lanka by enhancing and improving peace among them by taking measures to conflict resolution while addressing the roots of conflicts. At a time where the country is facing a pandemic and other major crisis, we believe that our initiative is a very timely one for it reminds the people to be the advocates of peacebuilding despite the challenges ahead of them.

The project was initiated in line with Rotary and District Focus Areas – Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Goal No. 04 “ Quality Education”; Goal No. 10 “Reduced Inequalities” and Goal No. 16 “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.” 

As social change begins with personal responsibility and is sustained when people are actively engaged in creating the shared future of their community, the project was initiated under three main phases, covering the main ethnicities and selected age groups in Sri Lanka. We supported the religious and other institutions that required help and took steps in spreading awareness on peacebuilding and conflict resolution among the youth, physically and on virtual platforms. 

The first phase of the project focused on conducting an educational program for the children in the Makola Certified School who have been victims of social ills and pressures incurred from conflicts within their families and society. The program was conducted on the 20^th of March 2022 with the participation of the club members.

In the second phase, we conducted a discussion under the theme ”Peaceful Sri Lanka with the power of youth” to direct the youth to engage in the peacebuilding process and give them the vision to sustain peace in the community we live in. Mr. Janith Vimukthi and Ms. Sulari Kumarasiri were the facilitators for the evening. They taught the participants about how they should be advocates of peacebuilding. The discussion was held on the 27^th of May 2022, at 6.30 pm, via the zoom platform with the participation of the club members and it was live-streamed on the official Facebook page of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. 

Through the third phase, we supported the local community- the four main ethnicities, by providing the essential materials they requested and lending our hand to achieve their good intentions.

Accordingly, we were able to help the Nisalawila Sadaham Viharaya Miriswatta, Gampaha and Al-MasjIdul Mukarram, Ihalagama, Kannattota, which were under construction, by providing them with the needed material. For the Reverend Sisters and the children at St. Anne’s Church Pilapitiya, we donated dry rations of various sorts that would help them to fulfil their daily needs.  Lastly, to the Tamil Nursery – Kekulu Child Development Center Kahawatta, though we had made preparations to hold a Sinhala and Tamil New Year Celebration for the little children in the nursery, considering the unhealthy situation in Sri Lanka, we took steps to send them all the gifts we had planned to give during the celebration, mainly the stationary items that were required for their educational purposes. 

We believe that through this project, we were able to sustain peace in the community, especially when the country is facing a pandemic and other major crises; direct and educate the children/youth to take the lead in social change and transform conflict in their communities; and also to develop a constructive and therapeutic culture that both promotes psychological growth for the individuals at the Certified School and offer them the opportunity for healthy relationships with the society after being aware on effective conflict resolution methods.

Written by Rtr. Malithi Fernando