Transforming Sri Lanka: The Impact of HWPL's Peace Education Program

In a world grappling with conflicts, the urgent call for global peace is championed by Lee Man-hee, the founder of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and a Korean War veteran. His lifelong dedication to a war-free world has led him to advocate peace education as a foundation for future generations. Feeling sympathy for Chairman Lee, Sri Lanka, a nation in desperate need of peace, is walking a transformative journey to realize peace within a country and beyond.

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Sri Lanka: A Country in Desperate Need for Peace

Sri Lanka, scarred by a 26-year-long internal conflict from 1983 to 2009, remains haunted by the memories of war. The conflict between the Sri Lankan government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) inflicted deep wounds, making the nation an apt candidate for HWPL's peace education program.

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The Start of Peace Education in Sri Lanka

Actual practice of HWPL Peace education in Sri Lanka kicked off during the Pandemic. Neil Subasinghe, the principal of the International School in Sri Lanka, reach out to HWPL during the pandemic and initiated the peace education through online seminars. Subsequently, he participated in the Peace Teacher Training in October 2022, leading other teachers to actively engage in peace education. Presently, peace education is officially part of the school curriculum, and efforts such as constructing a Peace Memorial on campus showcase active involvement of Sri Lanka in HWPL’s peace education.

Image from HWPL Sri Lanka Facebook

Status of Sri Lanka's Participation in HWPL Peace Program

Particularly noteworthy is the event held on May 25 in 2023 at the International School in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka to celebrate ‘HWPL’s 10th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace. On that day, 1100 students joined HWPL as members, two member schools of the International School in Nuwara signed MOU for HWPL’s Peace Education. Also, principal Subasinghe introduced peace education to the local mayor, who subsequently facilitated the connection between the school and the peace education authorities. Currently, peace education is actively implemented in four Sri Lankan schools: International School, Bismi Quran School, Mount Calvary School, and Kurugala St. Thomas School. Eight peace teachers are involved, with three schools having signed MOUs with HWPL.

 

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Other Peace Programs in Sri Lanka:

In May 2019, HWPL and IPYG organized the ‘HWPL’s 6th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and Peace Walk’ in Sri Lanka, demonstrating continued efforts for sustainable peace. Despite the country's declaration of a state of emergency due to the Easter Sunday bombings in April 2019, 22 citizens voluntarily attended the peace event at the Gangaramaya Temple.

Image from HWPL Home Page

Sri Lanka's journey towards peace, facilitated by HWPL's peace education program, exemplifies the transformative potential of dedicated efforts. As the nation rebuilds from its tumultuous past, the commitment of students and teachers to peace education serves as a beacon of hope for a harmonious future. HWPL's initiatives continue to inspire nations globally to embrace the ethos of peace and work collectively towards a world without war.