The National Program of Enhancing
Knowledge and Virtues: Student Courage
(Development of Leadership Skills of School
Children in Post Conflict and Difficult Areas)
The Nena Guna Weduma: Sisu Diriya National Programme is one which has been
implemented continuously since 2006 when it was launched as a concept of the
President, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa to benefit the students affected by
the bomb blast in Kebethigollewa. The programme is aimed at relieving conflict
related stress suffered by GCE (A/L) and GCE (O/L) students in conflict areas
and difficult areas of the country and empowering them to continue their
studies which were disrupted due to terrorism. The programme has so far
benefited students in several former conflict areas and difficult areas such as
Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa,
Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa.
The Nena Guna Weduma: Sisu Diriya National Programme
strives to remove the social and cultural shackles of hatred, distrust and fear
that have pervaded the nation over several decades of terrorism, and to build
mutual respect for each community and safeguard each other’s individuality.
Another important aim of the programme is to restore society to normalcy from the
various forms of social disorganisation that have been focibly thrust on Sri
Lanka’s social fabric over decades, by developing mutual understanding.
The Siru Diriya Project also strives to create an
awareness among the youth about the unfavourable social links that have grown
out of the ethnic, religious and class divisions, and the barriers they have
created impeding social development. The Nena Guna Weduma: Sisu Diriya
Programme strives to emphasise that despite the identities created out of
divisions by various groups, they are all founded on human interaction.
By conveying the right messages and inculcating positive
attitudes, this programme is committed to bringing about a positive behavioural
change in the youth with a commitment to peace and social development during
this period of their personality development, and transforming them into
ambassadors of peace who can be deployed from district to district.
Additionally, it aims to identify youth who require economic assistance and
assist them accordingly and create a dialogue between the youth and the rulers
and ensure their participation in the decision making processes for state
administration, policy formulation and decision making.
Nandana Wijesinghe
Director (President’s Social
Development Affairs)
