Sri Lanka Unites is a youth movement propelled by the power of Sri Lanka’s untapped potential of youth united in their diversity and purpose. As a movement, their focus and main objective are to promote reconciliation, an inclusive Sri Lankan identity by inspiring and investing in a new generation of Sri Lanka leaders. However, over the years the movement’s young leaders have always united and stepped up to serve at times of crisis, creating their very own relief wing, a positive by-product of their unity and leadership development work. Young Sri Lankans from every district, ethnicity, religion and socio-economic line have come together to serve their fellow Sri Lankans for over 14 years. Their united and youthful exuberance has enabled them to respond to every national crisis since 2009.
Q Give us a brief introduction to Sri Lanka Unites relief work?
Sri Lanka Unites as a movement has been honoured to see youth take initiative to respond to crises in various communities. From the South to the North, West to East, and Uva to Vanni. These youth have a greater allegiance than ethnicity, religion or their own district. Their heart and passion are for all their countrymen, for humanity. We have no greater reward for our tireless efforts to serve, mentor and inspire a new generation of Sri Lankan leaders. Over the past decade, we have seen over 100 SLU school club related community development initiatives. These students raise their own resources and find innovative and sustainable ways to respond to challenges in their communities and across the island.
Our efforts as youth united across ethnic and religious lines, have positioned us to build an international movement inspired by Sri Lanka named Global Unites. The movement has similar objectives to SLU in 13 countries around the world, youth-led peace and conflict transformation. However, in the midst of the recent crisis caused by COVID lockdowns and the impact on global citizens working in the informal sector, Sri Lanka Unites, and the Global movement-inspired (Global Unites), led by SL leadership, provided aid for over 6000 families in 10 countries, providing over a million meals in the midst of this crisis. This was an incredible effort by youth in developing countries supporting one another to address the needs of their communities.
Q What is the primary mission of the movement?
The primary focus and objective of the movement is to develop leadership, promote reconciliation and an inclusive national Identity among a new generation of Sri Lankans. As a result of these efforts at every crisis, the young leaders have responded, proving their commitment to one another.
Q How have you seen this unfolding when working on relief efforts?
Youth united across formally divided lines are indeed more generous, resilient and bold. They are not limited by the boundaries of their geographic and financial capacities. Together they serve one another; they serve humanity. This pandemic will continue to throw many challenges. Whatever may come they are committed to standing together and refuse to ignore the pain and suffering of anyone. These youth have a message for our nation. ‘Unite and find your true power, capacity and purpose. It is time for youth to lead. Stand up today, serve, lead and transform.’
Q Give us a breakdown of the relief efforts Sri Lanka Unites has been able to lead over the last decade?
2009 - Wheelchairs & Sanitary packs for MANIK farm IDP Camp
2010 - Library supplies & cricket equipment for schools in Mullaitivu
2010 - Essential school supplies in schools in Mullaitivu
2010 - Flood Relief in the East and and Western Province
2012 - Essential schools supplies: Mullaitivu
2012 - School supplies for children in Kepepilavu resettlement camp.
2014 - Support for Aluthgama victims
2014 - Flood relief
2016 - School supplies for 50 students affected by floods
2016 - Kolonnawa, Mulleriyawa and Malwana Flood relief
2016 - Essential goods for landslide and flood victims
2017 - Flood relief and medical supplies in Matara
2018 - Face masks for students in Galle and Matara
2019 - Easter Attacks response; Support to create cemetery and tombstones for victims, scholarships for students who lost parents
2019 - Flood Relief
2020 - COVID-19 response for families working in the informal sector.
Q What has your response been to the current crisis in 2021?
Sri Lanka Unites received support through the small actions project funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in Sri Lanka, through this project we were able to deliver over 1000 COVID-19 care packs to patients in response to requests made by 4 hospitals in Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Hambantota and Gampaha Districts. We were also able to provide over 20,000 KN95 face masks to healthcare workers, essential service providers and low-income families from all 25 districts.
Q Join them in their next phase of response:
To provide food packs for families in need, especially those working in the informal sector.
Collecting used or new devices for children in rural Sri Lanka to attend online classes
Finalizing a donation of hospital equipment needed for COVID care in three hospitals.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION VISIT THEM AT WWW.SRILANKAUNITES.ORG
If you are interested in donating or partnering with Sri Lanka Unites in their current response to the crisis reach out to them via email at
[email protected]
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