SWYAA Sri Lanka bid farewell to Mr. Janak Bandaranayake

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 On 1st March 2019, the Cafe on the Fifth at Colombo echoed with the blessings of Swy Sri Lankan family who gathered to bid farewell to one of the outstanding personalities, Mr Janak Bandaranayake, senior Culture and Information Specialist of Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka. The day was a fiesta devoted to the years spent together with Mr. Bandaranayake who was always a pillar of Nipponmaru journey of Sri Lankans. Mr. Bandaranayake retired from his service in January 2019 after serving the embassy for 33 long years. He was the coordinator for Swy programs from the very beginning. His involvement in Swy varies from selecting the National leader and PYs, receiving the representatives of Cabinet Office of Japan, arranging and guiding Port of Call activities with National Youth Services Council and advising each and every participant to be a good representative of Sri Lanka and to make the program a success. One the other hand, this event was a grand reunion for Swyers of SWY 14, 22
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AFTER A SPLENDID POC NIPPON MARU SAILS BACK TO JAPAN


The sun has risen for another special day: It was the day, we waited for 2 long years, it was the day, we prepared ourselves for 1 long year to welcome 240 Youths around the globe and it was the day, we were so excited to see her again in Sri Lanka. Yes, it was the day the ship Nippon Maru arrived Sri Lanka with 240 youth leaders of 11 different countries of the globe.
On 15th February 2018 at 8.25a.m our second home, Nippon Maru arrived Colombo as her third resting place. As a SWY Alumni member, it was my first time to welcome Nippon Maru in Sri Lanka. When I saw the ship which was heading to Colombo port, I exactly cannot explain how I felt. There are no such words to explain that feeling even in my mother-tongue. I believe all the Alumni members were felt the same.
After the official welcome, it was our time as alumni members to welcome our new family, SWY30 to Sri Lanka. We welcomed all the PYs onboard warmly and I got an opportunity to welcome them by delivering a speech in Japanese. It was my second experience to speak in Japanese in front of such a huge audience after SWY 28.
During the free time PYs got a chance to walk around Colombo. Some went to Galle-face Green and Gangarama temple to see the beauty of Sri Lanka. And some visited Laksala, the largest state owned gift, souvenir and handicraft shop, to buy souvenirs. In the evening, alumni members and volunteers from National Youth Services Council (NYSC), Maharagama guided PYs to enjoy their free time in Sri Lanka. After the free time, we all headed back to Nippon Maru and arranged a tea party onboard. The tea party on 7th floor reminded me the Sri Lankan night that we organized as the Sri Lankan Delegation for SWY28.
The 2nd day was quite a busy day, because we visited several places with PYs. In the morning, we all went to the University of Colombo. PYs participated in several discussion sessions according to their course discussions. I believe they had a great time at the university and we must appreciate the effort done by the students, lecturers and officers of University of Colombo to make PYs’ time valuable.Next we headed to “Temple Trees”, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The PYs and ADM had a special invitation from Prime minister Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe for a lunch reception at the Temple Trees. PYs got a chance to meet the Prime Minister
The Evening session was dedicated for the Institutional visits. The 10 places they visited are Sri Lanka Women Development Services Cooperation Society Limited, Thidora Organization, Helpage Center, Ape Gama, Department of Ayurvedha, Independent Television Network, National Gem and Jewelry Authority, Mithuro Mithuro, Sri Lanka Federation of Youth Clubs and Sri Lanka Volunteer Association. I went to Thidora Organization with PYs and this place is for disable children. They teach those children to develop their talents like dancing, singing, acting and so on. PYs did several activities with those children and I witnessed that both PYs and children were satisfied about that program.
In the night, SWYAA- Sri Lanka planned and organized a special Sri Lankan night with the help of NYSC. For PYs, we prepared some games like ‘Mr. & Miss Nippon Maru’ and ‘the best dancing couple’. It was a late night party and was really nice to see how PYs enjoyed themselves.
The 3rd day was the day of departure. In the morning, PYs visited NYSC and we got a chance to see each delegation’s performance on stage. We enjoyed their amazing performances. I think I must mention about Miss Eriko kurokawa from SWY28 who is presently working in Sri Lanka as a volunteer. She got a special chance to perform on stage in front of SWY30, as she is learning Sri Lankan Traditional dance in Sri Lanka. She danced brilliantly like a Sri Lankan, so that we all were so surprised and proud of her.
After the open ship, it was the time to say Good bye to our beloved Nippon Maru. We felt sad and lonely. We did our part as much as we can for 3 days. But, it was not enough for all of us. However, we understood that our loving SWY30 family had spent really a great time in Sri Lanka The reaction to “How was Sri Lanka?” was unbelievable. We did not expect such a kind appreciation from PYs. It was really nice to see their satisfied smiles and faces. Their smiles meant a lot for us.
Finally, On behalf of all the Alumni members of SWY, I must pay my warmest gratitude to the Admin of SWY, National Youth Services Council, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Police, University of Colombo, 10 institutions and all the others who support us to make this event a success. Our special gratitude goes to;
Mr. Eranda Welianga, Director General/ Chairman - National Youth Services Council
Mr. Janak Bandaranayake, Senior Culture and Information Specialist, Embassy of Japan
Mr. Neelsiri Kathriarachchi, Main Coordinator, National Youth Services Council
Mr. Shehan Koshila Kannangara, Secretary, National Youth Services Council
Mr. Buddhika Iddamalgoda, President, SWYAA-Sri Lanka.
Thank you all and hope to see our beloved Nippon Maru once again in Sri Lanka.

Once a SWYer is always a SWYer.

Sisimali Sulochana.
SWY28









Pics by,
Sasitha Lakmal | ANL | SWY28

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