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SOUTHERN MESSENGERS 20

An event, a bridge Youths shaping the future

一场活动一座桥梁 一群青年心向未来

At the “Harbors Tonight” Yunnan-South from each other through exchange, and What role can young people play in ing for a Master’s Degree in Management
& Southeast Asia Youth Civilization Di- carry forward the Sri Lanka-China friend- carrying forward the longstanding friend- at the University of Colombo. Living and
alogue on Sri Lanka, young participants ship, because friendship is what brings us ship between China and Sri Lanka? Par- studying abroad has shaped her view of
from both countries shared reflections over together,” said Shanuka Kumarasinghe, a ticipants at the event offered their own how young people can navigate different
tea and music on the theme “How Youth Master’s candidate in Mass Communica- experiences and reflections. cultures. “Time spent in another country
Connect with the World.” They spoke of tion at the University of Kelaniya and a Warunika Nadeeshani, who studied becomes a lens through which you see the
their own efforts to strengthen ties between longtime admirer of Chinese culture. The at Nanjing Normal University and now world,” she said. “Young people ought to
China and Sri Lanka, stories that resonated event offered him a firsthand encounter teaches Chinese at Lindsay Girls’ School lean into that—read widely, travel when
warmly with everyone present. with that culture: “I watched Yunnan tea in Colombo, believes genuine friendship you can, and let the world teach you.”
“This kind of gathering is deeply ceremony performances, heard music from crosses borders—it grows from goodwill, Sagara Chandrasekara (transliteration),
meaningful,” observed Mr. Indrananda Zheng He’s hometown, tried paper-cutting mutual care, and open exchange. Young a lecturer at the University of Colombo,
Abeysekara, President of the Association and calligraphy…” he recalled. The expe- people, she said, with their energy and cre- Sri Lanka, has studied in China and several
for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural rience gave him a fresh perspective, and ativity, have a key part to play in strength- other countries. His time in China showed
Cooperation. He praised the event’s inno- he hopes one day to visit China itself. ening the Sri Lanka-China bond. “As a him, he said, how different streams of
vative format and rich content, noting that “Cultural exchanges like this build Chinese teacher, I see myself as a kind knowledge eventually flow together into
it serves as an effective bridge for youth bridges for understanding between young of friendship envoy. By fostering links in a broader understanding of the world. He
and cultural exchange between the two people,” said Mr. Thusitha Vidanapathira- education, civil society, and technology, I urged young people to stay rooted in their
countries. Yunnan, he added, is one of the na, an Assistant Producer at Sri Lanka Ru- hope to help bring our two countries clos- own culture while also venturing out, find-
Chinese provinces closest to Sri Lanka ge- pavahini Corporation, attending a Chinese er,” she explained. ing their own bearing in the wide sea of
ographically, and both sides share cultural cultural event for the first time. The music, “Young people are the future of Sri cross-cultural exchange.
touchstones such as Zheng He and tea. dance, intangible heritage displays, and Lanka-China cooperation,” Christine ob- Lakshi Silva, who serves as the Princi-
“The direct flights between Colombo and tea ceremony from afar felt both new and served. She believes youth on both sides pal of Liberty Lanka International Mon-
Kunming,” he said, “have made that close- captivating. What stayed with him most should connect more often and more deep- tessori, lived and studied in China for five
ness tangible.” was the music, especially the string quartet ly, to look past stereotypes, build trust, and years and speaks of the country with deep
In June of this year, Christine Hetti- “Zheng He Suite: Song of Navigation,” find common ground, while appreciating affection. “China feels like a second home
arachchi, Editor-in-Chief of the English which he described as “graceful yet his- what makes each culture distinct. In doing to me,” she said. “I made friends there
News Department, Lankapuvath, was torically rich, a genuine glimpse into the so, they can weave lasting bonds of shared who remain close, and that bond is more
invited to Kunming to cover the Chi- depth of Chinese culture.” Music, he add- feeling, friendship, and common purpose. than memory; it’s lasting. As a teacher, I
na-South Asia Expo. While in Yunnan, she ed, works as a universal language, stirring Madushan Kularatne, Editor-in-Chief love telling my students about China. It’s
filed her reports and also made a number shared feeling and helping people across of Sri Lanka’s China Mirror magazine, a small way to plant seeds of friendship
of local friends. Less than two months borders to listen, respect, and connect. stated that youth are an important force between our countries.”
later, meeting those friends again in Co- Sugath, a Sinhala language teacher at driving progress, innovation, and cultural Sugath stated that China has long been
lombo, her enthusiasm was palpable. She the School of Foreign Languages, Yunnan exchange, and significant contributors to a friend to Sri Lanka, with exchanges be-
described the “Harbors Tonight” gathering University, has lived in Kunming for many advancing Sri Lanka-China cooperation. tween the two countries stretching back
as both a platform for youth dialogue and years and holds unique insights into cultur- “As media professionals, we should target centuries. Their friendship is grounded in
a warm reunion of old and new compan- al and youth exchanges between Sri Lanka young readers, objectively and accurately mutual respect and trust, and widely felt
ions. “Friends grow closer the more they and Yunnan. “Sri Lankan and Yunnan introduce each other’s countries and bilat- among ordinary people. He urged more
meet,” she said. “I hope young people will cuisines actually have a lot in common,” eral cooperation, guiding the youth of both learning and interaction between young
make the most of events like this to help he observed. “During the tea tasting, the nations to contribute more power to Sri Sri Lankans and Chinese, so that the next
deepen the ties between our countries.” To fragrance of Yunnan black tea and Ceylon Lanka-China friendship.” generation can carry forward this lasting
her, people-to-people bonds form the real tea seemed to blend, much like the friend- Wang Wei, from Chongqing, is study- bond.
foundation of bilateral relations. ship between our peoples, which crosses
“As young people, we should learn mountains and sea but stays closely knit.”