Sri Lanka’s top business leaders and professionals were initiated, at a special event, as ambassadors of Mother Sri Lanka, a not for profit organization aiming to build patriotism and positive thinking in Sri Lankans towards their country. The cream of the business sector of Sri Lanka attended the event. The expectation is that these professionals, corporate and academic leaders will then use their vantage point as front-runners to spread Mother Sri Lanka’s message of appreciation of the motherland and call to action towards giving back to the country. As many of these leaders make frequent visits to foreign countries and have built enduring international relationships, it is also anticipated that the new members will circulate the true story of Sri Lanka overseas, whether it is to bring in new investment or negate false impressions. Membership into the movement will continue to be open even after the event.

Funded entirely by the private sector, the event saw a previously enrolled ambassador of Mother Sri Lanka, Justice Christopher G. Weeramantry, address the new ambassadors regarding their pivotal new role. Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, who delivered the keynote address, outlined the methods in which the ambassadors could build up the country’s image, change perceptions and give back to Sri Lanka. Lalith Weeratunge, who is a trustee of Mother Sri Lanka, and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa were also present.

Chairperson of the Mother Sri Lanka Trust, Janaki Kuruppu, spoke about the initial stages of the movement, how it has since evolved and what is expected from the ambassadors. School children, judged winners of competitions carried out by Mother Sri Lanka to instill patriotism and appreciation of the motherland, performed a play and gave speeches.

A coffee table book, detailing the journey of Mother Sri Lanka from its inception in 2008 to the present, was also launched at the event. The book includes information on the organization’s activities and tells the story of how the resilience of the Sri Lankan people did not allow 30 long years of terrorism to drown the hopes and dreams of their motherland. The first copy of the book was presented to His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The book will be sold at bookshops to raise funds for the activities of the organization.

Mother Sri Lanka is a movement, which was initiated in 2008 during a time when Sri Lanka was struggling with the challenges of war and economic crisis. Its main aim was to change the perceptions and attitudes of Sri Lankans so that they learned to value their motherland and think of ways to help advance development in what little way they could.

To this end, Mother Sri Lanka organized a competition for 2600 national and international schools. The schools were given the theme, magen ratata rata negumata meaning, “What can I give back for the betterment of my country?” In addition, Mother Sri Lanka clubs have been formed in about 1000 schools, island wide, with the same aim. The organization has now expanded their reach to pre-schools too, by launching a programme to teach children to respect their national flag and anthem, to keep their country clean, to appreciate local produce and to be aware of the various cultural groups in the country. In the future, Mother Sri Lanka hopes to arrange seven-day camps for children above grade 6 from the North and East and the rest of the country to meet and form bonds. This programme is called the Friendship Bridge.

Mother Sri Lanka operates through a network of volunteers across the country. These volunteers have formed clubs at geographic level and coordinate various projects to help benefit the communities they live in. They source the funds for these projects themselves. In addition, Mother Sri Lanka is always open to new volunteers joining the organization to sustain ongoing and new programmes.

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The Mother Sri Lanka preschool program named “Buds of Patriotism” is a program jointly organized by the Mother Sri Lanka Trust and the Children’s Secretariat of the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs with the aim of building a patriotic next generation of Sri Lankans. This program was first announced in December last year to coincide with the Early Childhood Development Week declared by the government and its’ island-wide implementation was launched at the auditorium of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on March 10, 2011. The event was attended by island wide network of Early Childhood Development Officers, the members of the National committee on early childhood development, Mother Sri Lanka officials, Ministry officials with the Minister of Childhood Development and Women’s Affairs, Tissa Karaliyadda as the Chief Guest.

Mother Sri Lanka is a movement working towards bringing together diverse perspectives under one umbrella to develop positive thinking about Sri Lanka. The movement was launched in November 2008 and so far has carried out many programs in order to reach its’ goals. Mother Sri Lanka School Program, one of the major components, of the movement was successfully completed in June 2010 at an event in the presence of the His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, after reaching 3million school children aged 11-18 years covering the entire island to spread the message of patriotism.

As children are a key target group of the Mother = ලංකා movement, it has been decided to extend the schools program to preschool children. The program will consist of 4 special activities that have been designed to be implemented in every preschool which is registered under the Ministry. The program is expected to reach nearly 17,000 preschools covering almost 600,000 toddlers. Activities will be implemented in each preschool by the teachers under the guidance of the Early Childhood Care Development officers and Child Right Promotion officers at district level. Unilever Sri Lanka has come forward as a financial sponsor for Mother Sri Lanka in this national initiative.

Specialized activities of the Buds of Patriotism Program

• Respect the National Anthem and The National Flag:

Learning to respect the national anthem and the national flag.

This is the main activity of this program where Mother Sri Lanka is heightening the importance of respecting the national anthem & the flag. Every pre-school child is to be taught how to sing the national anthem and how to respect it.

• Keeping the country clean.

Learning to use garbage bins always to dispose garbage.

This activity is mainly focused in dispose garbage at the correct place and thereby keep our country beautiful.

• Appreciate Local Produce

Learn to use local vegetables, fruits and herbs. Valuing local produce is the first step to value our own country. This activity is based on identifying local vegetable, fruits & herbs by growing and nurturing them in the school premises and/or at home.

• Living in Peace and Harmony.

Understanding and respecting all ethnic groups and religions. Peace and harmony depends on a good understanding among citizens. This specific activity teaches toddlers about other cultural events and rituals to develop a good understanding and to educate them to respect them.

The program will be implemented in every district from March 2011 and this will be monitored by the Mother Sri Lanka Trust and the Children’s Secretariat of Ministry of Child Development & Women’s Affairs.

Contact Details;

Mother Sri Lanka Trust

101, R.A. de Mel Mawatha

Colombo 03

Dinasha Weerasinghe

Tele: 0774456652

Fax: 2384201

Email: dinasha@presidentsoffice.lk

Website: www.mothersrilanka.lk