Milinda's Blog

With much regret, we have to inform you that, the Candlelight Memorial Event which was scheduled to happen on the 23rd (Sunday) May has been postponed once again without a decision on an alternative date due to the prevailing weather condition and the postponement of the National Victory Day Celebrations organized by the Government of Sri Lanka at the Galle Face Green.

On behalf of the National Youth Coalition of Sri Lanka,  we would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused due to the postponement of the event for the second time. We will keep you guys posted on the latest developments. Please pass the message to your friends, family and contacts on the change of the event. Write to us for more information at: nycsrilanka@gmail.com.

This year’s thrilling Colombo PRIDE celebrations include a variety of must see and must do events – a once a year celebration of diversity with Pride! Join us in a month long festival of fashion shows, film festivals, art & photo exhibitions, plays and kite flying and more -the first of its kind in Asia!

11-12 June: Youth Conference – “Live and Let live:Respecting Gender and Sexuality” (prior applications necessary – please apply through our website, application forms will be provided soon)

20th June: Rainbow Runway – Fashion show (Tickets for sale at EQUALGROUND from 10th June onwards)

24th June: Rainbow Pride party (Tickets for sale at EQUAL GROUND from 10th June onwards)

1 July: Special Film Screening – “Beyond Gay: The politics of Pride” – Hosted by the British High Commission

5-7 July:
• Rainbow Visions – LGBT Art and Photo exhibition
• Celluloid Rainbows – LGBT Film Festival – Hosted by the British Council

10th July: LGBTIQ theatre performance – “Leave a light on for me”

11th July: Rainbow Kite Festival on Mt. Lavinia Beach

Contact Equal Ground for details on venues, tickets, times and any other information.

Email: info@equal-ground.org/equalground@gmail.com
Tel: 94-11-2512977 or 5679766

On behalf of the National Youth Coalition of Sri Lanka on Sexual & Reproductive Health and its affiliated organizations it’s with great pleasure that, we invite you and your respective organization to be a part of the International Candlelight Memorial Event 2010 to be held at the Galle Face Green on Sunday, May 23rd.

In an effort to raise the bar on Sri Lanka’s response to HIV & AIDS, a group of local organizations,  actively work in the field of HIV & AIDS, Sexuality and Sexual Reproductive Rights (SRH) have come together to form one collective voice! This coalition who have adopted the slogan ‘Together We Are the Solution’ as their mantra, believes in consistent and clear messages in terms of advocacy and awareness on HIV & AIDS, Sexuality and SRH.

Whilst Sri Lanka remains “a low prevalence” country HIV & AIDS infections are on the rise, 137 new infections were reported in 2009. Moreover, if we are to learn the lessons from other South Asian nations like India, a country that has a “low prevalence” of HIV should strive to remain a “low prevalence” country. Awareness, education and advocacy are needed now!

The HIV & AIDS response thus far in Sri Lanka has been focused mainly on most at risk populations (MARPS) e.g. Commercial sex workers, Intravenous Drug users, trishaw drivers, beach boys, etc. however the coalition believes that all populations matter, especially the youth, if we are to arrest the spread of HIV in our country. The marginalization of MARPS, the stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV (PLHIV) results from the silence and ignorance that surrounds issues related to HIV, sex and sexuality.

The coalition wants to go beyond isolated workshops, events that spring up around World AIDS Day, and seeks to challenge the young people and not so young people of our country to LEARN MORE! STAND UP! & SPEAK OUT! To remove the culture of silence and fear that surrounds HIV, sex and sexuality and to move towards and equitable society for all.

With the technical and financial support from FPA Sri Lanka and Standard Chartered Bank in Sri Lanka, Together We Are The Solution is to have its program at the Galle Face Green on the 23^rd of May 2010.

A team of volunteers from across the island will be trained in handling the event and activities, as Together We Are the Solution believes in clear and consistent messaging in their education and awareness programmes. Volunteers will first be trained in Colombo at the FPA Sri Lanka, 37/27, Bullers Lane, Colombo 07 on the 23rd May. The programme at the Galle Face Green will commence at 3.00 p.m. on the 23^rd May culminating with the candlelight memorial at 7.30 p.m. in order to commemorate the people who lost their lives due to HIV and AIDS and was stigmatized as a result of their HIV status.

read the complete press release here

This is to inform you’ll that, the Candlelight Memorial event which was scheduled for the Sunday, May 16th 2010 has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.

The event will now be held on the Sunday, May 23rd at the Galle Face Green starting wt 3.00 p.m. onwards.

For more information, please feel free to contact either Janitha Basnayake on 071-4440234 or Paba Deshappriya on 071-8015702 .

The National Youth Coalition extends its great regret for any inconvenience caused due to the change in the dates.