Several training programmes were conducted for government officers, local government representatives and Grama Niladharis under NPC’s project the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Activity (SCORE), which is funded by USAID and conducted in partnership with Global Communities.

Another project activity was the distribution of books to Mahagodayaya Jansanka Kanishta Vidyalaya, commemorating the World Book Day. The programme included an awareness session for the students to encourage them to read books on developing national cohesion and reconciliation.

Mr Sirikumara Senarathne and Mr K. Jayasena, the resource personnel, used innovative methods to show the students the correlation between critical thinking and cohesion.

“Students should read these books to improve their knowledge. Reading should be a habit in their lives. These books will help them to understand the different cultures and languages in the country as well as the importance of peace, social cohesion, reconciliation and social understanding. This has been one of the most very valuable events in my teaching life,” said Mr M. A. Rathnayaka, the principal of the school.

The SCORE Team has been focusing on developing the critical thinking of participants in its training and activities because ignorance has been found to be the main factor in conflict.