Nena Guna Weduma: Sisu Diriya National Programme

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)