Sri Lankan MUN Conference Closing Ceremonies are usually known for their glamour, an air of inter-school politics, a smell of humans burning in stress and anxiety about their awards and mostly inappropriate blooper videos.
NYMUN 2016, along with a few other facets of MUN in Sri Lanka, changed this conception of MUN Closing Ceremonies in the country. The event was charm, elegant and smooth. Money had not been wasted on doing light shows and entertainment items. None of the delegates were there as members of institution delegations and there were no best delegation or best institution awards. Delegates seemed more interested in experiencing the debate than winning awards.
The Chief Guest for the event was Ms. Rosie Senanayake, Former State Minister, and the Guest of Honor was Dr. Ranjit Cabral.
Suleiman Rameez, the Deputy Secretary General, started proceedings by remarking on how this youth led conference was organised by a team that much smaller than is deemed required for such an endevour in an extremely short period of time compared to Sri Lanka’s other MUN conferences. The secret seemed that it was an entirely youth led conference – one could hardly find a non-youth on premises other than as observers or at the Opening and Closing ceremonies. It was very nice of Sulaiman to do a special mention of IntCa’s Press Corp coverage throughout conference. But the major takeaway from the speech for all Sri Lankan youth – “It is time for the youth to stop being discussed and start discussing”.
Ms. Rosie Senanayake surprised the organising committee of NYMUN when she suggested in her speech that student events of this manner should happen not merely on an annual basis but on a quarterly and even monthly basis. Going through the motions of stress to organise MUN conferences of this manner every month is surely unsavory to many despite the love for MUN. But it goes in line with Secretary General Insaf’s vision for pocket conferences happening around the country to spread the concept of MUN beyond Colombo and the major urban centers.
The support for strengthening NYMUN was reflected in Dr. Ranjit Cabral’s speech, where he noted the continuing support he will muster through the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS), which hosted the event. He went on to note that Sri Lankan society needs to end the practice of the majority overpowering a minority trying hard to create change and that the older generations must listen to and engage with young change makers. He had no doubt in his mind when he named the 250 odd young people who ran and participated at NYMUN 2016 “Change Makers”.
Despite these words of youth empowerment, the most anticipated and the most decorated members of the ceremony were the award winners of the conference. It is where NYMUN stamped its difference against the two long running high school conferences in the country. Delegates received awards and there were no hoots of bias, no hoots of school names and no collective envy against each other. Those who were worthy of awards got their awards and I did not come across a delegate who said the award decisions were flawed.
The best word to describe this change is ‘refreshing’, to quote quite a few delegates. Finally it seemed that the collective action of conference could end on a harmonious note. It did, for I did not walk away from a MUN conference with a politics induced headache for the first time since 2008.
Award Winners
General Assembly
Best Delegate
Delegate of the Russian Federation – Framjee Hathy
Higher Commendation
Delegate of France – Alifya Sohail
Higher Commendation
Delegate of Finland – Amaniyah Fazal
Honorary Mention
Delegate of Palestine – Sithira Gunasekara
Honorary Mention
Delegate of China – Naveen Ratnayake
Best Novice Delegate
Delegate of the United Kingdom – Shakthi Vibodha De Silva
Best FPS
Delegate of New Zealand – Prashen Fernando
European Union
Best Delegate
Delegate of the United Kingdom – Hasitha Balapatabendi
Higher Commendation
Delegate of Austria – Philip Surendran
Honorary Mention
Delegate of Denmark – Thevin Bandara
Honorary Mention
Delegate of Romania – Piyumani Ranasinghe
Best Novice Delegate
Delegate of Germany – Sasmini Bandara
Best FPS
Delegate of Estonia – Anuradha Fonseka
ECOSOC
Best Delegate
Delegate of Afghanistan – Mohamed Rasheed
Higher Commendation
Delegate of Russia – Mithsuka Tillakaratne
Honorary Mention
Delegate of Palestine – Randesh Wickrama
Honorary Mention
Delegate of Germany – Nethmie Dehigama
Honorary Mention
Delegate of Canada – Madusha Lasankha de Silva
Best Novice Delegate
Delegate of Japan – Sierra Amarasiri
Arab League
Best Delegate
Delegate of Sudan – Maleeka Hassen
Higher Commendation
Delegate of Palestine – Asjad Arshad
Honorary Mention
Delegate of Egypt – Kumal Udamulla
Honorary Mention
Delegate of Iran – Senuri Hasara Munasinghe
Best Novice Delegate
Delegate of Qatar – Ashique Aman Amanullah
Best FPS
Delegate of UAE – Prathap Kumaraperuma
UNHRC
Best Delegate
Delegate of Palestine – Chiranthi Senanayake
Higher Commendation
Delegate of USA – Shavendra Senarath
Honorary Mention
Delegate of China – Shanaya Algama
Best Novice Delegate
Delegate of Sri Lanka – Kasunjith Satanarachchi
Best FPS
Delegate of the Netherlands – Ama Sedara
Security Council
Best Delegate
Delegate of USA – Dulanjana Kumaratunga
Higher Commendation
Delegate of Egypt – Akhila Randeniya
Honorary Mention
Representative of Academi – Anish Fonseka
Honorary Mention
Representative of Bashar Al-Assad – Aabid Aman
Best FPS
Delegate of Palestine – Kemiya Kodithuwakku
The proceedings ended with a vote of thanks by Under Secretary General Roma Vedamuttu who thanked all executive committee members, partners, sponsors and participants for helping to make the event a success.
