The De Lanerolle Brothers join the Unity Mission Trust as Brand Ambassadors

A familiar name to music lovers in Sri Lanka and across the world – Rohan and Ishan De Lanerolle have without doubt carved out a firm niche for themselves in the hearts of fans who enjoy  contemporary Sri Lankan music. The duo fondly known as the De Lanerolle Brothers, recently joined the Ekamuthu Oray Makkal Unity Mission Trust (UMT)as Brand Ambassadors, in order to help promote unity, healing and integration throughout Sri Lanka.

Commenting on their efforts to support the Trust, Rohan and Ishan De Lanerolle stated, “Our new relationship with UMT, enables us to contribute to the future of our Motherland in a new, very meaningful and exciting manner. We hope that by being Brand Ambassadors for the Trust, we will be able to support UMT’s efforts to uplift and empower the socio-economic development of current and future generations of Sri Lanka and foster unity throughout the nation.”

Bertal Pinto- Jayawardena, Founder Trustee and Co-ordinator of UMT also stated, “We are delighted that two world renowned sons of Sri Lanka, have joined hands with the Unity Mission Trust, to help create awareness about our efforts topromote equality and unity amongst the sons and daughters of our beautiful country.”

With a journey beginning in 2009, the De Lanerolle Brothers with their wide tonal range and harmonious performances have enjoyed immense success and have rapidly diversified their portfolio. Sell-out performances on Sri Lankan stages are just the tip of the iceberg – the De Lanerolle Brothers have shared the stage with internationally celebrated artists such as Aaron Neville &The Branford Marsalis Quartet, four time Grammy award winner – Olivia Newton John, The Bellamy Brothers and Monroe Powell of the Platters. They have also performed alongside pianists and classical singers such as Rohan De Silva, Caroline Jaya-Ratnam, Dhilanthi Fernando, Helen Massey, Sarah Hague and more recently with Sabina Cvilak.

The De Lanerolle Brothers are based in Sri Lanka but are much-sought after around the world as their performances have gained international acclaim. To date, they have individually and collectively performed at music arenas such as The Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall; The Asia Society – New York, The Altadena Open Air Theatre – Los Angeles, The Shady Grove Concert Hall – Washington DC, St. Paul’s Church – Chicago, St. John’s Smith Square, The Sheldonian Theatre, The Adrian Boult Hall, The Solihull Arts Complex – UK, The Kamani Auditorium – India, The Bentley Music Auditorium – Malaysia and The “Princess Diana Room” of The Castle of the Angers – in Germany. They perform for audiences ranging from 500 to 50, 000 and have a fan base that extends to all corners of the globe.

Being born and bred as Sri Lankans, the De Lanerolle Brothers alongside their music also have a deep and abiding love for their Motherland.   In this regard they have pledged their support to the Unity Mission Trust and in their new rolesas Brand Ambassadors, they will continue to support the work, programmes and projects initiated by the Trust in order tofoster unity and integration throughout the country. The EkamuthuOrayMakkal Unity Mission Trust (UMT ) is a non-profit voluntary organization that is governed by a Board of Trustees and by a fully volunteer based Executive and an Operations Committee. The Trust is strengthened by a regional network of youth leaders spread across Sri Lanka and it is also supported by the National Youth Leadership Council.

Since May 2009, the Trust has, been committed to fostering unity, integration, healing and reconciliation amongst the youth of Wanni and their peers across Sri Lanka.  The Trust instilsself-confidence in the youth and empowers them through leadership development at a series of four-day residential Unity Camps. More than for 500 young people attend the Unity Mission Trust Camps at a time, from all across Sri Lanka.  Additionally, the Trust conductsone-day regional Unity Campsthat help to fosterfriendship, unity, integration and healing. The majority of UMT’s youth leaders are 17-20 years of age and are the future on the nation. The Unity Campsuse art,art therapy, music, drama, oratory, sports, team building and bonding exercises and leadership seminars delivered by outstanding Sri Lankans to create the unique platform on which all programmes are conducted.

The Trust has completed 19 major programmes since May 2009 to date and has over 6000 youth linked in through nine Regional Councils across Sri Lanka; it also has a network of nearly 350 partner schools and has 180 youth leaders between 20 to 25 years of age who are elected by the National Youth Leadership Council and volunteer at a regional level. The activities of the Trust also encompass an annual national unity and integration awards ceremony for youth under 21 years of age, anEnglish language teaching programme andeducational scholarships to support outstanding youth. The Trust also runs a variety of annual programmes such as “Power One Hundred” to help youth who have completed their A Levels to step out into the world.  “Ray of Hope” is another event which is organized by the Trust to celebrate the beautiful diversity of Sri Lankan culture.

The work of the Unity Mission Trust is  approved by the Ministry of Education; the Ministries of Education in the Northern and Southern Provinces; The Hon. Governors of the North, South and Central Provinces, Zonal Educational Officers and School Principals.

Caring and concerned Sri Lankans are invited to join this effort which fosters unity and integration amongst the youth of the country to build a new Sri Lanka. To find out more information, visit the UMT website: www.unitymission.lk.