News

Most governments around the world have temporarily closed educational institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. As this is also the case for Sri Lanka, we would like to ask you, the ASPnet students, about how you are dealing with the current situation and ensure the continuation of learning.

One of the aims of this initiative is to also document stories of empathy, how your community has supported you during this period i.e. family, friends through telecommunication and social media and apps, neighbors and the local community including local government officers etc.

Send us a short video or text passage with your testimony and help us inspire other students, teachers and parents throughout Sri Lanka and around the world.

To get you started, here are some tips to send your testimony to UNESCO:
Questions for students (please say your first name, age, school grade, city and country)

• How do you feel about not being at school?
• What do you miss the most about school?
• How are you keeping up with your lessons?
• How has your community supported you?
• What do you want to say to people who are watching this video?

Tips for recording your video (60 seconds maximum):

1. Record in a well-lighted place, making sure the person who’s going to speak isn’t in the shade.
2. Test the sound. Film for a few seconds and listen to the video to make sure the sound was good. If it isn’t, get closer to the person. Make sure there are no noises around you or other people speaking at the same time.
3. The video will be cut to a square (1:1) format. Whether you film horizontal or vertical, make sure that the person is always in the center of your frame.
4. Ask the person to repeat the question as she/he starts answering your question so that the viewers will know what she/he is going to be talking about right away.

To watch testimonies by others: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse/learningneverstops/ 

Send your submissions and consent form to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before 22nd May 2020

This initiative is not just for students!

Also, follow us on Facebook (Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO) and Instagram (sl_natom_for_unesco) to see your submissions.

Thank you for sharing your story and being part of the UNESCO Corona virus response!

The South Asia Regional Conference/Workshop – 2020 on Prevention of Violent Extremism through Education was successfully inaugurated on 10th Feb. 2020 at Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo-03, Sri Lanka.

The opening ceremony was inaugurated with the esteemed presence of Dr. Upali Sedara, Senior Adviser to the Ministry of Education as the Chief Guest and the Secretary of Education- Mr.N.H.M. Chithrananada, Secretary General of the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU) - Dr. Punchinilame Meegaswatte, Director- UNESCO Mahathma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) - Dr. Anantha Kumar Duriappah, Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, and the Representative from the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC)- Mr. Bran Van Haver were graced the inaugural ceremony. Thirty six youth leaders from South Asian countries namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, ambassadors, forefront officers of the Ministry of Education, heads of youth organizations/institutes/universities of Sri Lanka and UN representatives were presented at the inaugural ceremony.

The South Asian Regional Workshop is collaboratively organized by the SLNCU, MGIEP and UNAOC and will be continued until 16th Feb.2020 at Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo 03.

Mr. Eric Falt, Director and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, Buthan, India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, Ms. Junhi Han, Head, Culture Sector & Programme Specialist at UNESCO New Delhi Cluster Office and Ms. Rithu Sethi, Expert in Intangible Cultural Heritage met with to Government representatives relevant to Cultural Sector in Sri Lanka, at ICH Committee held on 26^th February 2020 at the Secretary General’s office, Ministry of Education.

The UNESCO delegates met with government official and experts in the field at culture with the purpose of identifying potential programmes with to Intangible Cultural Heritage and culture, by and large.

Dr. Punchinilame Meegaswatte assumed duties as the Secretary General of Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU) which falls under the Ministry of Education, at SLNCU office in Isurupaya premises in the on 03.01.2020. Dr. Meegaswatte is an experienced media personality, trainer and a consultant with more than thirty years of experience as an executive management professional within several institutions both in public and private sector. He has held senior level management positions at several media stations including SLRC and MTV. He also functioned as a television trainer and a front line media personality. During his media career Megaswattte contributed as a jury member at a number of international awards ceremonies. Dr. Meegaswatte has a PhD in Mass Communication and also read for an MSc in Mass Communication at the University of Kelaniya and MBs at the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka. He completed his Bachelor of Science Degree at the Open University of Sri Lanka. Additionally he has also completed a Diploma in Management at NIBM and also a Post Graduate Diploma in International Affairs. Dr. Meegaswatte engaged in formation of new educational reforms and looks forward in achieving goals of UNESCO in the areas of Education, Science, Culture and Communication.

The simple ceremony held to mark the assuming of duties of new Secretary General was graced by the presence of Dr. Upali Sedere - Chief Advisor to the Minister of Education, Mr. S.U. Wijeratne – Member of Performance Appraisal Committee, Dr. Jayanthi Gunasekara, Director General of National Institute of Education, Mr. Priti Perera - Former Secretary General of SLNCU, Ms. Ashwini Madanayake - Deputy Secretary General of SLNCU and the staff of the SLNCU.