UNASL Celebrates 80th United Nations Day

The United Nations Association of Sri Lanka (UNASL) marked the 80th United Nations Day with the National Observance at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Auditorium. The event featured the hoisting of the National Flag and the United Nations Flag, and welcomed guests with a speech by UNASL President Mohamed Zawahir. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih was the Chief Guest, and Minuri Bandara, a student from Visaka Vidyalaya, took home the 'Best Speaker' award. The celebration included performances by students from various schools and a ceremony to recognize outstanding students and teachers.

Key Takeaways:

• The UNASL is the sole National Affiliate of the World Federation of the United Nations Associations (WFUNA), which was founded in 1946 by Special Resolution 137 (1) of the United Nations General Assembly.
• The UNASL has 334 schools registered under its Islandwide UNASL Study Circles programme, which was introduced in 1981 and is approved by the Education Ministry.
• The event recognized outstanding students, including Manugi Sadewana Nawarathna from Girls High School, Mt Lavinia, who won the General Knowledge Competition and Minuri Bandara from Visaka Vidyalaya, who received the 'Best Speaker' award for the Speech Contest.
• The UNASL Secretary General, Dr. M.M.M. Rushanudeen, was represented by Vice Chairman Dr. Sarath Samarage, who proposed the Vote of Thanks.
• The event was attended by diplomats, principals, teachers, and students of the UN Study Circle, as well as members of UNA and invitees.

Statistics:

• The UNASL has 334 schools registered under its Islandwide UNASL Study Circles programme (1981).
• 80 schools (as of the source result) of UNASL Study Circles programme lie in Colombo: a total of 334 as of the time of 1981 was spoken about.
• 43 awards were given to students and teachers (none of the award winners' hometowns' were omitted; per [some unspecified locations]).

Sources:

• Daily News Sri Lanka