Global Unites

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

🔥 WHAT IF THE THING THAT HAS ALWAYS KEPT SRI LANKA TOGETHER IS SIMPLY… US? 🇱🇰💚

“We argue about cricket. We scream when it comes to politics. But when the rain falls, we don't leave anyone behind.”

These powerful words came from Michelle Cooray, a Finalist – Senior Category at the Platform NextGen Sri Lanka Competition 2026.

In her moving speech, Michelle reflected on some of the darkest moments Sri Lanka has faced from the tragedy of 2019 and the pandemic to the economic crisis, and the way ordinary Sri Lankans repeatedly became each other's lifelines.

Because when times are hardest, something powerful emerges:

If one of us falls, we all rise.

History may have tried to divide us. Circumstances may have tested us. But Michelle reminds us that we are more than people living side by side.

We are family, connected by the same pulse. ❤️🇱🇰

🎤 Watch Michelle's full speech and hear her powerful reflection on what it truly means to be Sri Lankan.

And perhaps her final words say it best:

“I couldn't be prouder to be a Sri Lankan.” 🇱🇰
What is one thing that makes you proud to be Sri Lankan?

08/31/2026

🌍 Meet the Emerging Leaders of Global Unites!

Leadership isn’t just about titles.It is about taking initiative, creating opportunities, serving communities, and inspiring others to make a difference.

These 15 emerging leaders are already turning ideas into action from youth empowerment and peacebuilding to community engagement, communication, and leadership development.

Their journeys remind us that meaningful change can begin anywhere, with anyone willing to step forward.

Swipe through to meet the young leaders helping shape a more peaceful, connected and inclusive future.

The next generation of change-makers is already leading.

08/26/2026

Nepal 🇳🇵 | Flash Floods in Rasuwa

A devastating flash flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa district has left hundreds of people unaccounted for after the Bhote Koshi River surged through the region.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens have been reported missing or remain unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations are currently underway.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected, their families, and the communities facing this tragedy. We stand in solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time.

08/26/2026

Warmest Birthday Wishes to Mohammad Ayatulla Rahaman 🎉

Today, we proudly celebrate Mohammad Ayatulla Rahaman, National Director of Nepal Unites. Your dedication to unity, youth empowerment, and community development continues to inspire meaningful change and strengthen the Unites movement.

May this new year bring you renewed energy, good health, happiness, and continued success as you lead and inspire others toward a more peaceful and united future. 🌍✨

Happy Birthday, Mohammad! 🎂

08/26/2026

🔥 WHAT IF EVERYONE WAITED FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO CHANGE THE WORLD?

“Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’”

But Laurance Maris Stella, senior Category at the Platform NextGen Sri Lanka Competition 2026, asks us to take that idea one step further:

What would happen if every person waited for someone else to solve the problems?

Who would protect the environment?
Who would fight injustice?
And who would change the world?

Her message is a powerful reminder that change doesn't begin with someone else. It begins when we decide to step forward and take responsibility.

At Platform NextGen, young voices like Laurance remind us that you don't have to wait until you're older, more powerful, or more experienced to make a difference.

You can start now. You can start where you are. And you can start with yourself.

🎤 Watch Laurance's full speech and hear her call for a generation that doesn't wait for change but becomes the change.

If you could change one thing in the world today, what would you change?

08/25/2026

🔥 WHAT IF SRI LANKA DOESN’T NEED ANOTHER QUICK FIX… BUT A COMPLETE RESET? 🇱🇰

“When our public institutions crack or when our economy warps under pressure, we don’t redesign it. We just stack on another easy fix and hope for the best.”

These powerful words came from Tharushi, a Finalist – Senior Category at the Platform NextGen Sri Lanka Competition 2026.

In her speech, Tharushi challenged us to confront a pattern we have become far too familiar with patching problems instead of addressing their roots.

And her question goes deeper:
What happens when temporary solutions become permanent?

What happens when we keep repeating the same approaches and expect a different future?

📖 “Just look back at our history.”

Tharushi's message is a call to stop accepting quick fixes as the answer and start having the courage to rethink, redesign, and rebuild the systems that shape our country.

🎤 Watch Tharushi's full speech and hear a young voice challenging us to think differently about Sri Lanka's future.
Do you think Sri Lanka needs more quick fixes or deeper, lasting solutions?

08/24/2026

🔥 WHAT IF THE PERSON WHO NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING… IS YOU?🎤🇱🇰

“Have you ever had a moment where you looked at a problem and thought, someone needs to do something about this?”
For Samadhi Athauda, that moment became the beginning of something extraordinary.

A Finalist – Senior Category at the Platform NextGen Sri Lanka Competition 2026, Samadhi shared the story of how discovering that her school didn't have a Gavel Club pushed her to step forward.

As a Sinhala-medium student, she had always admired English speakers who had the courage to stand on a stage and speak confidently before an audience. For a long time, she was the person watching from the back, admiring the speakers, but questioning whether she had what it takes.

Until she decided to stop watching.
Today, she is the first-ever President of her school's Gavel Club.
Her journey is a powerful reminder:

You don't need to believe you're ready before you take the first step. Sometimes, taking the step is what makes you ready.

🎤 Watch Samadhi's full speech and hear how one young person turned self-doubt into leadership.

What is one problem you've looked at and thought, “Someone needs to do something about this”?

Maybe that someone is you.

08/24/2026

🔥 WHAT IF “LATER” IS THE WORD HOLDING SRI LANKA BACK? 🇱🇰

“The most dangerous word in Sri Lanka is not crisis. It’s later.”

We will act later.
We will lead later.
We will fix the country later.

But then comes the question that every generation needs to ask:
What happens when later becomes too late?

These powerful words came from **Shanuth Malaka, a Finalist – Junior Category at the Platform NextGen Sri Lanka Competition 2026.

In his speech, Shanuth challenged us to stop postponing the change we know is needed and reminded us that the future isn't built someday. It is built through the choices we make today.

🎤 Watch Shanuth's full speech and hear a young voice challenging us to stop waiting and start acting.

Because change doesn't begin later.
It begins now.

What is one thing you think Sri Lanka should stop saying “later” about?

08/23/2026

🌍 FROM SERENDIB TO CEYLON… WHAT SHOULD WE CALL THE SRI LANKA WE BUILD NEXT? 🇱🇰

“Sri Lanka is often referred to by names such as Serendib, Ceylon, and oftentimes, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.”

These words came from Vritti Kaur Delar, the Second Runner-Up – Senior Category at the Platform NextGen Sri Lanka Competition 2026.

In her speech, Vritti reflected on the many names and identities that have shaped how the world sees Sri Lanka, and invited us to think beyond the names of our past and imagine the story we want to create for our future.

Because a country is not defined only by what it was called.

It is defined by what its people choose to build.

🎤 Watch Vritti's full speech and hear her perspective on Sri Lanka, its identity, and the possibilities that lie ahead.

If you could give Sri Lanka a new name based on the future you want to see, what would it be?