United Nations in Sri Lanka

Two years into the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027), the UN continued to deliver results across health, food security and nutrition, health, social protection, livelihoods and economic recovery, climate resilience, inclusive governance and rule of law, social cohesion and gender equality.In 2024, the UN in Sri Lanka mobilized over USD 80 million to drive impactful initiatives, strengthen institutions, empower communities, and promote resilience and inclusion across the country., filtered_html

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Publication

20 September 2024

National Youth Statement for the Summit of the Future 2024

In the lead-up to the UN Summit of the Future, Sri Lanka has taken a bold step in ensuring that the voices of its youth are heard loud and clear on the global stage. The National Youth Consultation, held with the participation of young leaders from diverse backgrounds, offered a dynamic platform for youth to engage in meaningful dialogue, share their insights, and shape the narrative around key global issues.This consultation brought together representatives from all regions of the country—urban and rural areas alike—allowing for a wide range of perspectives on topics such as climate change, social inequality, technology, economic justice, gender equality, and peacebuilding. By discussing these urgent global challenges, Sri Lanka’s youth demonstrated their passion, creativity, and commitment to co-creating solutions that can contribute to a sustainable and equitable future.The Sri Lankan Youth Statement, developed from the collective voice of these young leaders, captures their concerns, ambitions, and proposed solutions. It is not only a call to action but a vision for a future where sustainability, human rights, inclusivity, and innovation are central to decision-making at all levels. The statement reflects the urgency of addressing climate emergencies, tackling widening inequalities, ensuring responsible technological progress, and fostering peace in a rapidly evolving world.As this powerful statement is presented at the Summit of the Future, it will play a vital role in shaping the global agenda and ensuring that youth perspectives are integral to the decisions that affect our shared future. By amplifying the voices of the next generation, the consultation affirms Sri Lanka’s commitment to youth empowerment and the crucial role young people play in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The National Youth Consultation and the resulting Sri Lankan Youth Statement underscore the importance of youth as changemakers and catalysts for innovation, ensuring their participation in the world’s most significant conversations about our collective future.The consultation was co-led by UNFPA Sri Lanka with UNDP, UNV and FAO Sri Lanka., filtered_html

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Story

29 April 2025

Arundhavamalar’s Journey from Displacement to Hope

For decades, Arundhavamalar’s life was defined by displacement. Born in 1980 in a small village in Palaly, she grew up in a close-knit community of around 30 families. Her father was a fisherman, and her mother a homemaker. Life was simple but full of joy, surrounded by her eight siblings and friends from school. However, the civil war disrupted that peaceful life, forcing her family to leave everything behind. On August 13, 1990, as violence escalated, her family—like so many others—was forced to flee their home, seeking refuge at the Palavy welfare center in Point Pedro. This was only the beginning of years of uncertainty and hardship. “We tried to return home after the 2004 tsunami, hoping to rebuild,” she recalls. “But the conflict resumed, and we were displaced again in 2005.” From there, she and her family moved from one temporary refuge to another—Vanni, Valajarmadam, Mathalan—before finally reaching Jaffna in 2009 by boat. There, they lived in the Allarai Internally Displaced Persons site in Chavachcheri. Eventually, their journey took them back to Polikandy, where they struggled to rebuild a life from scratch. A New Beginning Throughout these years of displacement, Arundhavamalar’s survival depended on the kindness of relatives and the few opportunities available. Her elder brother’s business provided some stability, but Arundhavamalar’s biggest concern remained her children’s education and well-being. Through the Expanded Support for Durable Resettlement and Reintegration (EDRR) project, she received assistance in rebuilding her life. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, the initiative helps resettled communities build sustainable livelihoods and reintegrate into society. Funded by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund—with contributions from Australia, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Joint SDG Fund and the UN Peacebuilding Fund—the project builds on the personal investments of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees to support their resettlement. “Having a house of my own brings immense happiness,” Arundhavamalar says. “While we were displaced, if the owner of a house we were staying in asked us to leave, we had no choice but to move. Today, no one can ask us to leave. My family and I feel content and safe now.” Rebuilding Livelihoods, Restoring Dignity Beyond providing shelter, the UN-supported project also aids in restoring livelihoods. Through a civil society organization supported by the UN, Arundhavamalar received fishing nets, enabling her to start a dried fish business. The income she earns helps her care for her mother and support her son. She has also shared some of the fishing nets with her younger brother, ensuring that he too can earn a living. “Today, I can support my children and take care of my mother in peace in our own home,” she says with pride. “This is something I never imagined during the years we spent moving from place to place.” Hope for the Future Arundhavamalar’s story is one of resilience, strength, and the power of community support. While she has found stability, she knows that many others like her are still struggling to return home and rebuild their lives. “I sincerely hope that other people like me, who were displaced and affected by the war, will also be able to receive land and support to rebuild their homes, their livelihoods, and their lives.” Her journey, from displacement to homecoming, is a testament to the impact of collective efforts to support durable resettlement and reintegration, and to build a future where no one is left behind. , filtered_html

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20 February 2025

The United Nations Country Team visits Jaffna

Engaging with Government and Civil SocietyDiscussions with the Governor of the Northern Province, District Secretaries, Members of Parliament, and civil society organizations focused on key challenges and opportunities in the region. Economic recovery, land rights, governance, and social cohesion were at the centre of these conversations.
Government officials emphasized the need to expand livelihood opportunities, address land disputes, and ensure equitable access to services. Civil society representatives highlighted the lasting impact of displacement, the role of youth in governance, and the need for stronger legal protections for marginalized groups.
Seeing the Impact on the GroundThe UNCT visited communities and businesses across Jaffna to observe the impact of UN-supported projects. In Palaly North and Tellipalai, families rebuilding their lives after years of displacement shared their stories, highlighting the crucial role of initiatives supported by the UNDP and IOM through the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund. Despite progress, challenges persist in securing land, housing, and sustainable livelihoods. At Mylliddy Fishing Harbour, one of Jaffna’s largest fishing hubs, local fisherfolk and harbour officials discussed revitalizing the fishing industry, emphasizing the importance of investments in infrastructure and market access.In Kokuvil and Poongudutheevu, the UNCT connected with local entrepreneurs and women-led businesses at VESTA Industries and the Poongudutheevu Food Manufacturing Center. With previous support from ILO’s LEED+ project, VESTA Industries has become a key player in the local food industry, generating jobs and fostering economic stability. At the Poongudutheevu center, women entrepreneurs spoke about how training and business development support from UNDP have helped them expand their businesses and become financially independent.The visit also included a stop at the Palmyrah Handicraft Centre, where artisans are preserving traditional crafts while creating sustainable incomes. Managed by North Ceylon Sarvothayam, with previous support from UNDP and IOM, the initiative highlights the intersection of cultural heritage and economic development, empowering artisans to sustain their craft while contributing to the local economy Hearing from Young People at the University of JaffnaOne of the key engagements of the visit was a discussion with students at the University of Jaffna. Students shared their perspectives on governance, social justice, and economic opportunities. Many expressed concerns about youth unemployment, limited career pathways, and the need for stronger youth engagement in policymaking. Climate change and its impact on the region’s agriculture and livelihoods were also raised as pressing concerns.The UNCT reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people by enhancing access to quality education, skills training, and platforms for active participation in decision-making, ensuring that youth are equipped to shape the future of their communities. Marking 70 Years of UN-Sri Lanka PartnershipThe visit to Jaffna marked the beginning of a milestone year—the 70th anniversary of the UN’s presence in Sri Lanka and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations globally. To mark this historic partnership, the UN hosted a special reception in Jaffna, bringing together government officials, civil society, and development partners to commemorate seven decades of collaboration. In his address, United Nations Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche reflected on the enduring partnership between the UN and Sri Lanka. "Sri Lanka has gained from its partnership with the United Nations, but we too are a better organization because of Sri Lanka. While we have been part of your history—we also look forward to being part of your future.” , filtered_html

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05 November 2024

A Step Towards Sustainable Reintegration

Displaced by the ethnic conflict in the 1990s, residents of the Valikamam North (Tellippalai) division have gradually begun to resettle in their localities. Approximately 14,863 displaced individuals have reportedly returned to these government-released lands since the end of the conflict up until 2023. In March 2023, at the request of the District Secretary of Jaffna, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), initiated the provision of reintegration support including housing and water supply for drinking and sanitation to these families. Through the project "Expanded Support for Durable Resettlement and Reintegration in Sri Lanka", jointly implemented by the Government of Sri Lanka with support from UNDP and IOM and funding via the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund—with contributions from Australia, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, UN Peacebuilding, and the Joint SDG Fund. As part of this initiative, IOM successfully provided access to clean water for 24 families in the Tellippalai resettlement village through the construction of 12 tubewells. This facilitated access to clean water and sanitation – fundamental needs critical for health and wellbeing. UNDP provided support for land clearing and conducted an assessment of the Water Resources Board of the Tellippalai Divisional Secretariat as part of this initiative. The provision of these essential water services played a vital role in rebuilding livelihoods and other income generating activities such as farming/agriculture. With the water facility readily available, eliminating the need to seek fresh water from distant sources, women and children, in particular, were empowered to focus on productive activities such as education and home gardening. By facilitating such initiatives, the UN in Sri Lanka remains committed to upholding the principle of inclusivity, ensuring that the needs of conflict-affected communities, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable populations are duly taken into consideration in development efforts. Through such targeted initiatives, the UN strives to provide durable solutions that empower communities in vulnerable situations to effectively reintegrate into society., filtered_html

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30 October 2024

Charting a Path Forward: Sri Lanka and the Pact for the Future

The United Nations in Sri Lanka marked United Nations Day 2024 at the UN Compound in Colombo, bringing together the Prime Minister, development partners, and civil society leaders to explore the recently adopted Pact for the Future.The Pact, a key outcome of the Summit of the Future held in New York in September, is a recommitment to addressing critical global challenges, including climate change, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. The event highlighted the Pact for the Future as a call to action, urging local stakeholders to take ownership of its vision and advance its key action points. Discussions centered around how Sri Lanka can leverage the Pact to strengthen its sustainable development efforts, enhance multilateral cooperation, and promote peace and security. UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche emphasized the importance of multilateralism and collaboration: “In an increasingly polarized world, multilateralism remains our strongest tool. The Pact demonstrates that the international community can achieve broad agreements to act together. Today, all of us have the opportunity to own and champion this Pact for the Future.” In her remarks, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya highlighted Sri Lanka’s long partnership with the United Nations and reaffirmed commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals: “As a new government, we are committed to addressing the structural challenges that have hindered Sri Lanka’s progress toward unity and sustainable development. We look to the United Nations as one of the key partners in our journey forward. Sri Lanka's success will also be a success for the UN, as we work toward building a more resilient, inclusive, and united future." The event featured a video presentation on the Pact for the Future, showcasing its key themes and the ways in which Sri Lanka can contribute to its global objectives, including achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering digital transformation, and strengthening peacebuilding efforts. As Sri Lanka continues to navigate a period of political and economic transition, the Pact for the Future provides a framework to drive progress and ensure that the country can emerge stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive., filtered_html

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05 June 2024

Breaking Taboos and Empowering Communities

In the bustling lanes of Wadugodawatte – a low-income housing project in western Sri Lanka - Fasmila Begum, a spirited 18-year-old, is rewriting the narrative on menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) among young girls in her community. Amidst the challenges of being the oldest in a family of five daughters, aged 17, 13, 10, and three, Fasmila found her voice, when she stepped into an awareness session on menstrual hygiene conducted by UNICEF’s WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programme in partnership with Sri Lanka’s Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) and the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA). At this meeting, Fasmila found herself in a diverse crowd, where both adolescent boys and girls eagerly absorbed knowledge that would transform their perspectives on MHH. Physical and emotional wellbeingFasmila is one of the approximately 4.2 million menstruating women and girls in Sri Lanka, lacking access to adequate information on menstrual hygiene. She says therefore, the awareness session helped answer many questions, which were elusive to her earlier."I learned many new things, like the importance of regularly changing the pad throughout the day and healthy dietary habits. I used to wear one pad for most of the day and consume a lot of fizzy drinks during my period. But now I know better and engage in better menstrual hygiene practices,” Fasmila says reflecting on her lifestyle changes.But for her the journey did not stop at managing physical aspects; it extended to understanding the intricate link between her menstrual cycle and emotional well-being. "I'm more aware of why I have mood swings and feel more conscious of my emotions," she says.Fasmila is a passionate athlete – an active netball player and a runner. She says she faced unique challenges during menstruation, often pushing herself through strenuous practice sessions. However, armed with newfound knowledge, she realized the importance of listening to her body. She also realized that being more aware of MHH opened scope for her to be involved in more extracurricular activities. "I learned that if I feel fatigued, it's best to give my body rest during menstruation because it's working extra hard," she shares. Her wisdom is not confined to herself but is generously shared with her teammates and coaches. Shattering myths and misconceptionsThe session also shattered myths and misconceptions that had long plagued Fasmila's understanding of menstruation. "I was told not to enter the kitchen or visit places of worship because I’m 'dirty' during menstruation," she recalls, a hint of defiance in her voice. "I never thought was a wrong way to think, but now I know I was right."Fuelled by a desire to spark change beyond herself, Fasmila took proactive steps to share her learnings with her school community. "During morning assembly, I worked through the media unit to take 45 minutes every few weeks to talk about menstrual hygiene and best practices," she explains, her commitment to open conversations evident. "Because I believe open conversations will help break taboos and reduce the stigma around menstruation.”Asanthi Balapitiya, Consultant Community Physician at the Health Promotion Bureau, highlights the importance of addressing MHH and the need for improved, open dialogue on MHH in Sri Lanka.“Menstrual health is a poorly acknowledged topic here in Sri Lanka, despite it affecting the majority of our population. It is not openly discussed, which perpetuates stigma and misconceptions. To tackle this, Health Promotion Bureau under the Ministry of Health established a national working committee with nine ministries, to improve menstrual health and environmental impact in Sri Lanka. They have initiated several programmes in collaboration with UN agencies like UNICEF and UNFPA. Strengthening and empowering menstrual health and hygiene will not only improve quality of life and promote gender rights but also enhance environmental health. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing its broad impact on our society,” she explained. Putting men in menstruation Chanidu Himasa, a 16-year-old attendee of the same WASH session that focused on MHH, reflects on the impact it had on Fasmila and himself. "It was really simple and informative," he admits, a newfound sense of empowerment evident in his tone. "Even though this is taught in school for health, it's more from an anatomical point of view, and we don't understand it. But this was very practical, and I feel empowered to help my little sister and take care of her better,” he says adding, “It's also good to see my friends like Fasmila feeling empowered about themselves because of these trainings.”Fasmila's journey epitomizes empowerment. As we commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day, Fasmila's story is a hopeful reminder that education can break barriers and transform communities. In her journey, Fasmila proves that breaking taboos is not about challenging norms; it is about paving the way for a future where every woman can live with dignity and pride. , filtered_html

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Press Release

18 March 2025

Strengthening Food Safety in Sri Lanka: The European Union Delegation, Ministry of Health and Mass Media and FAO Host Panel Discussion and Media Knowledge-Sharing Event under the BESPA Project

Colombo, Sri Lanka – 18 March 2025 – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), supported by the European Union (EU) and in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, successfully hosted a high-level panel discussion and media knowledge-sharing event titled "Strengthening Food Safety Control Mechanisms in Sri Lanka: Current Challenges, Collaborative Solutions, and Future Pathways." The event marked a step towards enhancing food safety in Sri Lanka through strategic dialogue, collaborative efforts, and public advocacy.Organized under the EU-funded BESPA Project (Mainstreaming Standards-Based Best Practices for Agri-Food Sector Development), the event supports the Government of Sri Lanka in promoting food safety, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and fostering a culture of accountability and consumer awareness. The European Union Delegation has been instrumental in advancing food safety in Sri Lanka by providing financial and technical support to enhance food safety practices and infrastructure. Through capacity-building initiatives, training programs for industry stakeholders, and public awareness campaigns, the EU has helped strengthen the expertise of food safety authorities and empowered consumers to make informed choices. This ongoing collaboration continues to foster a safer and more resilient food system for the country.The event was inaugurated by Hon. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media, who reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to prioritizing food safety and protecting public health.Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Jayatissa emphasized that food safety is not just a technical issue but a national priority requiring a multi-stakeholder approach. He highlighted the need for robust policies and effective regulatory, enforcement mechanisms, alongside active collaboration between government authorities, industry leaders, and the media. He further stressed the critical role of public awareness in shaping consumer behavior and strengthening food safety practices throughout the entire value chain. "By fostering accountability and engagement at all levels, we can build a safer, more resilient food system for Sri Lanka," he stated."Ensuring food safety requires collective action and strong collaboration between the government, industry, and media. Public awareness plays a crucial role in shaping consumer behavior and strengthening food safety across the entire value chain. The United Nations remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka in advancing food safety standards and building more resilient food systems for a healthier future," stated Mr. Marc-André Franche, UN Resident Coordinator to Sri Lanka.The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies, media professionals, academia, civil society and the private sector, for meaningful dialogue on collaborative solutions for food safety challenges. Discussions emphasized the importance of public advocacy, clear communication, and stakeholder engagement to drive accountability and promote consumer rights and responsibilities."Improving food safety requires more than technical solutions; it demands collective action and public awareness to influence perceptions and behaviors across the entire food value chain," noted Mr. Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.The BESPA Project champions a holistic approach to food safety reforms by empowering stakeholders, enhancing communication, and fostering collaborative partnerships. The event underscored a shared vision for safer food systems in Sri Lanka, reinforcing the commitment of FAO, the EU, and the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthening food safety legislation and improving public health outcomes.FAO and the EU remain committed to supporting Sri Lanka in strengthening food safety governance and building a safer, more resilient food system for all., filtered_html

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Press Release

06 March 2025

UN Women Sri Lanka unveils SamaTheevu – an island where equality thrives

Colombo, Sri Lanka (6 March 2025): This morning, UN Women Sri Lanka opened සමதீவு (SamaTheevu), a public installation that brings to life a vision of a gender equal world – a goal that remains urgent and achievable with collective action.  The launch of සමதீவு aligns with International Women’s Day and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – recognized as the most comprehensive and visionary blueprint for achieving gender equality and advancing women’s rights. Sri Lanka has long demonstrated its commitment to gender equality. In 1981 Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) reinforcing its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls. Building on this, in 1995, Sri Lanka joined 189 other countries in adopting the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action at the Fourth World Conference on Women. Despite some progress, women’s labour force participation in Sri Lanka has stagnated and regressed between 2020 and 2025. The proportion of women in parliament has remained below 10% in the 77 years since Sri Lanka’s independence and 24% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence by their intimate partner. In 2006, Sri Lanka took 13th place in closing the gender gap, whereas in 2024, it stood at 122nd place.  Speaking on this at the launch event, Hon. Dr. Namal Sudarshana, Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs stated that: “While progress has been made since 1995, we know that the status of Sri Lankan women has stagnated against several indicators on gender equality, owing to multiple crises. The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration this year, is a pivotal moment, and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs remains committed to protecting the rights of women and advancing gender equality in the country”. Emphasizing on collective action to accelerate progress on gender equality, Marc-André Franche, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Sri Lanka highlighted: “As Sri Lanka’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women were recently reviewed, this is a pivotal moment for the country to assess progress, identify gaps, and most importantly accelerate actions to meet its commitments on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The UN in Sri Lanka remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka in this journey”. The interactive installation offers visitors a glimpse into an island where everyone, regardless of gender has equal rights and opportunities in all aspects of life. It serves as a powerful reminder that gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a driver of social and economic progress. It also serves as a rallying call for all sectors of society to contribute to a future where every individual can thrive without discrimination. As Sri Lankan women activists were a key part of shaping the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Emeritus Professor of Law, Savitri Goonesekere who attended the Beijing Conference in 1995 said: “Celebrating 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action is surely a time to reflect on past developments relating to gender equality and to address new realities - including the challenges of IT, cybercrimes, and AI - in formulating a new path to eliminate discrimination against women. The reality of discrimination and denial of life chances in our country and community requires activists and women’s groups to also understand past developments, trends, failures, gaps, and limitations as they formulate new interventions to realize gender equality.”“At UN Women, our goal is to uphold human rights and sustainable development for all”, said Ramaaya Salgado, Head of Office at UN Women Sri Lanka. “Global data shows us that societies where everyone - regardless of gender - is equally valued, given equal opportunities, and supported by just institutions - will flourish, and achieving these goals requires collective efforts”.    SamaTheevu serves as a rallying call to inspire action to advance women’s rights and gender equality by challenging all forms of violence, discrimination and exploitation; while fostering empowerment to ensure inclusive access to education, employment, leadership, and decision-making spaces. The installation is open to the public from 6th – 12th March from 9:00am – 8:00pm at the Lionel Wendt, Art Centre, Colombo 07. මාධ්‍ය නිවේදනයශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ කාන්තා ඒකකය, සමානාත්මතාව සපිරි දිවයිනක ස්ථාපන නිර්මාණයක් වන සමතීවු එළිදක්වයි.කොළඹ, ශ්‍රී ලංකාව (2025 මාර්තු 6): සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාව සහ කාන්තාවන් සවිබල ගැන්වීම සඳහා වූ එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ ආයතනයේ (UN Women) ශ්‍රී ලංකා ඒකකය විසින් සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාව සපිරි ලෝකයක් පිළිබඳ දැක්මක් සජීවී කරන පොදු ස්ථාපනයක් වන සමතීවු (SamaTheevu) නිර්මාණය අද උදෑසන දියත් කරන ලදි. සාමූහික ක්‍රියාමාර්ග තුළින් සාක්ෂාත් කරගත හැකි මෙම අත්‍යවශ්‍ය අරමුණ කරා ළඟාවීමට දිරිගැන්වීම එහි අරමුණයි.‘සමතීවු’එළිදැක්වීම ජාත්‍යන්තර කාන්තා දිනය හා බීජිං ප්‍රකාශනයේ සහ ක්‍රියාකාරී වේදිකාවේ 30 වැනි සංවත්සරයට සමගාමීව සිදු කෙරේ. සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාව සාක්ෂාත් කර ගැනීම සහ කාන්තා අයිතිවාසිකම් ඉදිරියට ගෙන යාම සඳහා වන මෙතෙක් ඉදිරිපත් කරන ලද වඩාත් පරිපූර්ණ හා දූරදර්ශී සැලැස්ම වන්නේ බීජිං ප්‍රකාශනයයි.ශ්‍රී ලංකාව දිගු කලක් තිස්සේ සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාව සඳහා තම කැපවීම පෙන්නුම් කර ඇති රටකි. කාන්තාවන්ගේ සහ ගැහැණු ළමයින්ගේ අයිතිවාසිකම් ආරක්ෂා කිරීම සඳහා තම කැපවීම ශක්තිමත් කරමින් 1981දී ශ්‍රී ලංකාව කාන්තාවන්ට එරෙහි සියලු ආකාරයේ වෙනස්කම් කිරීම් තුරන් කිරීමේ සම්මුතිය (CEDAW) අනුමත කළේය. මේ මත පදනම්ව, 1995දී, කාන්තාවන් පිළිබඳ සිව්වන ලෝක සමුළුවේදී බීජිං ප්‍රකාශනය සහ ක්‍රියාකාරී වේදිකාව සම්මත කර ගැනීම සඳහා ශ්‍රී ලංකාව තවත් රටවල් 189 ක් සමඟ එක් විය.යම් ප්‍රගතියක් තිබුණද, ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ශ්‍රම බලකායේ කාන්තා සහභාගීත්වය 2020 සහ 2025 අතර කාලයේදී පසුබෑමකට ලක්ව ඇත. ශ්‍රී ලංකාව නිදහස ලබා වසර 77ක් ගතවී ඇතත්, පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ කාන්තා නියෝජනය 10%ට වඩා අඩුය. කාන්තාවන්ගෙන් 24%ක් තම සමීප සහකරු වෙතින් ශාරීරික හෝ ලිංගික හිංසනයට මුහුණ දී ඇත. 2006දී, සමාජභාවී පරතරය අඩු කිරීම සම්බන්ධයෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව 13වන ස්ථානයේ සිටි අතර, 2024 දී එය 122 වන ස්ථානයට පත් විය.මෙම උත්සවයේදී මේ පිළිබඳව අදහස් දක්වමින් කාන්තා හා ළමා කටයුතු නියෝජ්‍ය අමාත්‍ය ගරු නාමල් සුදර්ශන මහතා මෙසේ පැවසීය: “1995 සිට ප්‍රගතියක් ලබා ඇතත්, බහුවිධ අර්බුද හේතුවෙන්, සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාව පිළිබඳ දර්ශක කීපයකම ශ්‍රී ලාංකික කාන්තාවන්ගේ තත්ත්වය ප්‍රගතියක් ලබා නැති බව අපි දනිමු. මෙම වසරට යෙදෙන බීජිං ප්‍රකාශනයේ 30වන සංවත්සරය තීරණාත්මක අවස්ථාවක් වන අතර, කාන්තා හා ළමා කටයුතු අමාත්‍යාංශය කාන්තාවන්ගේ අයිතිවාසිකම් ආරක්ෂා කිරීමට සහ රට තුළ සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාව ඉදිරියට ගෙන යාමට කැපවී සිටී”.සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාව පිළිබඳ ප්‍රගතිය වේගවත් කිරීම සඳහා සාමූහික ක්‍රියාමාර්ගවල අවශ්‍යතාව අවධාරණය කරමින්, එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ ශ්‍රී ලංකා නේවාසික සම්බන්ධීකාරක මාර්ක්-ආන්ඩ්‍රේ ෆ්‍රාන්ෂ් මෙසේ අවධාරණය කළේය: “කාන්තාවන්ට එරෙහි සියලු ආකාරයේ වෙනස්කම් තුරන් කිරීමේ සම්මුතිය යටතේ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ බැඳීම් මෑතකදී සමාලෝචනය කරන ලදි. මෙම අවස්ථාව සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාව සහ කාන්තා සවිබල ගැන්වීම පිළිබඳ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ප්‍රගතිය තක්සේරු කිරීමටත්, අඩුපාඩු හඳුනා ගැනීමටත් ඒ සඳහා රටක් වශයෙන් ඇති කැපවීම් සපුරාලීම සඳහා ගන්නා ක්‍රියාමාර්ග වේගවත් කිරීමටත් රටට ඇති තීරණාත්මක මොහොතකි. ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ සංවිධානය මෙම ගමනේදී ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට සහාය දීමට කැපවී සිටී”.සමාජභාවී භේදයකින් තොරව සෑම කෙනෙකුටම ජීවිතයේ සෑම අංශයකම සමාන අයිතිවාසිකම් සහ අවස්ථා ඇති දිවයිනක් පිළිබඳ දර්ශනයක් මෙම ස්ථාපන නිර්මාණය මඟින් නරඹන්නන්ට ලබා දේ. සමාජභාවීසමානාත්මතාව මූලික මානව අයිතිවාසිකමක් පමණක් නොව සමාජීය හා ආර්ථික ප්‍රගතියේ හේතුකාරකයක්ද වන බව අවබෝධ කර දීම එහි අරමුණයි. සෑම පුද්ගලයෙකුටම වෙනස්කම් කිරීම්වලට ලක් නොවී සමෘද්ධිමත් විය හැකි අනාගතයක් නිර්මාණය කර ගැනීමට සමාජයේ සියලු අංශ පෙළඹවීම ද මෙමගින් තව දුරටත් අපේක්ෂා කෙරේ.බීජිං ප්‍රකාශනය සහ ක්‍රියාකාරී වේදිකාව හැඩගැස්වීමේදී ශ්‍රී ලාංකික කාන්තා ක්‍රියාකාරීහු ප්‍රධාන වැඩ කොටසක් ඉටු කළහ. 1995 දී බීජිං සමුළුවට සහභාගී වූ කාන්තා ක්‍රියාකාරිනියක වන නීති මහාචාර්ය සාවිත්‍රි ගුණසේකර මහත්මිය මෙසේ පැවසුවාය: “බීජිං ක්‍රියාකාරී වේදිකාවේ සමාරම්භයට වසර 30 සපිරෙන මෙම මොහොත නිසැකවම සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාවට අදාළ අතීත වර්ධනයන් ගැන මෙනෙහි කිරීමට සහ තොරතුරු තාක්ෂණ, සයිබර් අපරාධ හා AI හි අභියෝග ඇතුළු නව යථාර්ථයන්ට මුහුණ දීම සඳහා සූදානම් වීමට හොඳ අවස්ථාවකි. මේවා මුල් කරගෙන, සමානාත්මතාව සාක්ෂාත් කර ගැනීම සහ කාන්තාවන්ට එරෙහි වෙනස්කම් කිරීම තුරන් කිරීම සඳහා ගත යුතු ඉදිරි පියවර සම්පාදනය කිරීමට ද කාලය එළැඹ ඇත. අපගේ රටවල සහ ප්‍රජාවන්හි සිදුවන වෙනස් කොට සැලකීමේ සහ ජීවිත අවස්ථා ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කිරීමේ යථාර්ථය හේතුවෙන්, ක්‍රියාකාරීන් සහ කාන්තා කණ්ඩායම් ස්ත්‍රී පුරුෂ සමානාත්මතාවය සාක්ෂාත් කර ගැනීම සඳහා නව මැදිහත්වීම් සකස් කරන විට අතීත වර්ධනයන් සහ ප්‍රවණතා, අසාර්ථකත්වයන්, අඩුපාඩු සහ සීමාවන් ද තේරුම් ගැනීම අවශ්‍ය වේ”.එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ කාන්තා ඒකකයේ ඉලක්කය වන්නේ සැමට මානව හිමිකම් සහ තිරසාර සංවර්ධනය තහවුරු කිරීම බව එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ ශ්‍රී ලංකා කාන්තා කාර්යාලයේ ප්‍රධානී රමායා සල්ගාදු පැවසුවාය. “ගෝලීය දත්ත අපට පෙන්වා දෙන්නේ, සමාජභාවී භේදයකින් තොරව සියලු දෙනා සමානව අගය කරනු ලබන, සමාන අවස්ථා ලබා දෙන, සාධාරණ ආයතනවල සහාය ලැබෙන සමාජයන් සමෘද්ධිමත් වන බවයි. මෙම අරමුණු සාක්ෂාත් කර ගැනීම සඳහා සාමූහික උත්සාහයන් අවශ්‍යය”.සියලු ආකාරයේ ප්‍රචණ්ඩත්වයට, වෙනස්කම්වලට සහ සූරාකෑමට අභියෝග කරමින් කාන්තා අයිතිවාසිකම් සහ සමාජභාවී සමානාත්මතාව ඉදිරියට ගෙන යාම සඳහා ක්‍රියාමාර්ග දිරිමත් කිරීම සමතීවු ස්ථාපනයේ බලාපොරොත්තුව වේ. අධ්‍යාපනය, රැකියාව, නායකත්වය සහ තීරණ ගැනීමේ අවකාශයන් සඳහා සියල්ලන් ඇතුළත් කරගන්නා ප්‍රවේශය සහතික කිරීම සඳහා බලගැන්වීම එමගින් දිරිගන්වනු ලැබේ.මෙම ස්ථාපනය මාර්තු 6 සිට 12 දක්වා පෙ.ව. 9:00 සිට ප.ව. 8:00 දක්වා කොළඹ 07, ලයනල් වෙන්ඩ්ට් කලා මධ්‍යස්ථානයේදී මහජනතාව සඳහා විවෘතව පවතී. ஊடக வெளியீடுஇலங்கைக்கான ஐக்கிய நாடுகளின் (ஐ.நா.) பெண்கள் அமைப்பானது சமத்துவம் விருத்தியடைந்துள்ள தீவான සමதீவினை (சமதீவு) அறிமுகப்படுத்துகிறதுகொழும்பு, இலங்கை (மார்ச் 6, 2025): இன்று காலை, இலங்கை ஐ.நா. பெண்கள் அமைப்பானது கூட்டு நடவடிக்கையின் மூலமாக அவசரமானதும் அடையவேண்டியதுமான இலக்காக உள்ள பால்நிலை சமத்துவமான உலகம் எனும் தொலைநோக்குப் பார்வையை உயிர்ப்பாக்குகின்ற සමதீவு (சமதீவு) என்ற பொது நிறுவலை வெளியிட்டது.සමதீவு வெளியீடு சர்வதேச மகளிர் தினம் மற்றும் பால்நிலை சமத்துவத்தை அடைவதற்கும் பெண்களின் உரிமைகளை மேம்படுத்துவதற்கும் மிகவும் விரிவான மற்றும் தொலைநோக்குடைய வரைபடமாக அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள பெய்ஜிங் பிரகடனம் மற்றும் செயற்பாட்டிற்கான தளத்தின் 30வது ஆண்டு நிறைவுடன் ஒத்துப்போகிறது.இலங்கை பால்நிலை சமத்துவத்திற்கான தனது உறுதிப்பாட்டை நீண்ட காலமாக நிரூபித்துள்ளது. 1981 ஆம் ஆண்டில், இலங்கை பெண்கள் மற்றும் பெண்பிள்ளைகளின் உரிமைகளைப் பாதுகாப்பதற்கான தனது உறுதிப்பாட்டை வலுப்படுத்தும் வகையில், பெண்களுக்கு எதிரான அனைத்து வகையான பாகுபாடுகளையும் ஒழிப்பதற்கான ஒப்பந்தத்தை (CEDAW) அங்கீகரித்தது. இதன் அடிப்படையில், 1995 ஆம் ஆண்டில், பெண்கள் தொடர்பான நான்காவது உலக மாநாட்டில் பெய்ஜிங் பிரகடனம் மற்றும் செயற்பாட்டு தளத்தை ஏற்றுக்கொள்வதில் இலங்கை 189 நாடுகளுடன் இணைந்தது.சில முன்னேற்றங்கள் இருந்தபோதிலும், 2020 மற்றும் 2025 க்கு இடையில் இலங்கையில் பெண்களின் தொழிலாளர் பங்களிப்பானது தேக்கமடைந்து பின்தங்கியுள்ளது. இலங்கை சுதந்திரம் அடைந்ததிலிருந்து 77 ஆண்டுகளில் பாராளுமன்றத்தில் பெண்களின் விகிதம் 10% க்கும் குறைவாகவே உள்ளதுடன், 24% பெண்கள் தங்களது நெருங்கிய துணையால் உடலியல் அல்லது பாலியல் வன்முறையை அனுபவித்துள்ளனர். 2006 ஆம் ஆண்டில், பால்நிலை இடைவெளியைக் குறைப்பதில் இலங்கை 13 வது இடத்தைப் பிடித்த அதே நேரத்தில் 2024 இல் அது 122 வது இடத்தில் இருந்தது.வெளியீட்டு நிகழ்வில் இது குறித்துப் பேசிய மகளிர் மற்றும் சிறுவர் அலுவல்கள் அமைச்சின் பிரதி அமைச்சரான கௌரவ. Dr. நாமல் சுதர்ஷன அவர்கள் கூறுகையில், “1995 முதல் முன்னேற்றம் ஏற்பட்டுள்ள போதிலும், பல நெருக்கடிகள் காரணமாக, பால்நிலை சமத்துவம் குறித்த பல குறிகாட்டிகளுக்கு எதிராக இலங்கைப் பெண்களின் நிலை தேக்கமடைந்துள்ளது என்பதை நாங்கள் அறிவோம். இந்த ஆண்டு பெய்ஜிங் பிரகடனத்தின்30வது ஆண்டு நிறைவானது ஒரு முக்கிய தருணம் என்பதுடன், நாட்டில் பெண்களின் உரிமைகளைப் பாதுகாப்பதற்கும் பால்நிலை சமத்துவத்தை முன்னேற்றுவதற்கும் மகளிர் மற்றும் சிறுவர் அலுவல்கள் அமைச்சு உறுதிபூண்டுள்ளது” என்றார்.பால்நிலை சமத்துவத்தில் முன்னேற்றத்தை விரைவுபடுத்துவதற்கான கூட்டு நடவடிக்கையை வலியுறுத்திய இலங்கையில் உள்ள ஐ.நா.வின் இலங்கைக்கான வதிவிட ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளரான மார்க்-ஆண்ட்ரே ஃபிராஞ்ச் பின்வருமாறு குறிப்பிட்டார்: “பெண்களுக்கு எதிரான அனைத்து வகையான பாகுபாடுகளையும் ஒழிப்பதற்கான ஒப்பந்தத்தின் கீழ் இலங்கையின் கடப்பாடுகள் சமீபத்தில் மீளாய்வு செய்யப்பட்டதால், இது நாட்டின் முன்னேற்றத்தை மதிப்பிடுவதற்கும், இடைவெளிகளைக் கண்டறிவதற்கும், மிக முக்கியமாக பால்நிலை சமத்துவம் மற்றும் பெண்களின் வலுவூட்டல் குறித்த அதனது அர்ப்பணிப்புகளை நிறைவேற்றுவதற்கான நடவடிக்கைகளை விரைவுபடுத்துவதற்கும் ஓர் முக்கியமான தருணமாகும். இந்தப் பயணத்தில் இலங்கையை ஆதரிப்பதில் இலங்கை ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் சபை உறுதியாக உள்ளது” என்றார்.இந்த ஊடாடும் நிறுவலானது பார்வையாளர்களுக்கு பால்நிலையைப் பொருட்படுத்தாமல் அனைவருக்கும் வாழ்க்கையின் அனைத்து அம்சங்களிலும் சம உரிமைகள் மற்றும் வாய்ப்புகளை கொண்டுள்ள ஒரு தீவைப் பற்றிய பார்வையை வழங்குகிறது. இது பால்நிலை சமத்துவம் என்பது ஒரு அடிப்படை மனித உரிமை மட்டுமல்லாது, சமூக மற்றும் பொருளாதார முன்னேற்றத்திற்கான உந்துசக்தியாகும் என்பதற்கான ஒரு சக்திவாய்ந்த நினைவூட்டலாக செயற்படுகிறது. இது ஒவ்வொரு தனிநபரும் பாகுபாடு இல்லாமல் செழித்து வளரக்கூடிய எதிர்காலத்திற்கு பங்களிக்க சமூகத்தின் அனைத்து துறைகளுக்குமான ஓர் அணிதிரட்டும் அழைப்பாகவும் செயற்படுகிறது.பெய்ஜிங் பிரகடனம் மற்றும் செயற்பாட்டிற்கான தளத்தை வடிவமைப்பதில் இலங்கை பெண் ஆர்வலர்கள் முக்கிய பங்காற்றியதால், 1995 இல் பெய்ஜிங் மாநாட்டில் கலந்து கொண்ட எமரிட்டஸ் சட்டப் பேராசிரியரான சாவித்ரி குணசேகரே கூறுகையில்: "பெய்ஜிங் செயற்பாட்டுத் தளத்தை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டதன் 30 ஆண்டுகளைக் கொண்டாடுவதென்பது, நிச்சயமாக பால்நிலை சமத்துவம் தொடர்பான கடந்த கால முன்னேற்றங்களைப் பற்றி சிந்திப்பதற்கும், தகவல் தொழில்நுட்பம், இணையவழி குற்றங்கள் மற்றும் செயற்கை நுண்ணறிவு ஆகியவற்றின் சவால்களை எதிர்கொள்வதுடன் சமத்துவத்தை அடைவதற்கும் பெண்களுக்கு எதிரான பாகுபாட்டை நீக்குவதற்குமான ஓர் புதிய பாதை மற்றும் முன்னோக்கி செல்லும் வழியை உருவாக்குவதற்குமான ஒரு நேரமாகும். நமது நாடுகளிலும் சமூகங்களிலும் பாகுபாடு மற்றும் வாழ்க்கை வாய்ப்புகள் மறுக்கப்படுவதன் யதார்த்தமானது, பால்நிலை சமத்துவத்தை உணர்வதற்காக புதிய தலையீடுகளை உருவாக்கும்போது, ஆர்வலர்கள் மற்றும் மகளிர் குழுக்கள் கடந்த கால முன்னேற்றங்கள் மற்றும் போக்குகள், தோல்விகள், இடைவெளிகள் மற்றும் வரம்புகளைப் புரிந்து கொள்வது அவசியமாகும்” என்றார்.அனைவருக்கும் மனித உரிமைகள் மற்றும் நிலைபேண்தகு அபிவிருத்தியை நிலைநிறுத்துவதே ஐ.நா. இன் பெண்கள் அமைப்பின் எங்களது குறிக்கோளாகும்” என்று இலங்கை ஐ.நா.இன் பெண்கள் அமைப்பின் அலுவலகத் தலைவரான ராமாயா சல்காடோ குறிப்பிட்டார். “உலகளாவிய தரவுகள், பால்நிலையைப் பொருட்படுத்தாமல் அனைவரும் சமமாக மதிக்கப்படுகின்ற, சம வாய்ப்புகள் வழங்கப்படுகின்ற மற்றும் நியாயமான நிறுவனங்களால் ஆதரிக்கப்படுகின்ற சமூகங்கள், செழித்து காணப்படுவதுடன் மேலும் இந்த இலக்குகளை அடைவதற்கு கூட்டு முயற்சிகள் தேவை என்பதை காட்டுகின்றன" என்று கூறினார்.සමதீவு அனைத்து வகையான வன்முறை, பாகுபாடு மற்றும் சுரண்டலை எதிர்த்துப் போராடுவதன் மூலம் பெண்களின் உரிமைகள் மற்றும் பால்நிலை சமத்துவத்தை முன்னேற்றுவதற்கான நடவடிக்கைகளை ஊக்குவிக்கும் ஒரு அணிதிரட்டலுக்கான அழைப்பாக செயற்படுகின்ற அதே நேரத்தில் கல்வி, வேலைவாய்ப்பு, தலைமைத்துவம் மற்றும் தீர்மானமெடுக்கும் இடங்களுக்கான உள்ளடங்கலான அணுகலை உறுதி செய்வதற்கான வலுவூட்டலை வளர்க்கிறது.இந்த நிறுவலானது மார்ச் 6 முதல் 12 வரை கொழும்பு 07 இல் உள்ள லயனல் வென்ட், கலை மையத்தில் காலை 9:00 மணி முதல் இரவு 8:00 மணி வரை பொது மக்களின் பார்வைக்காக திறந்திருக்கும்., filtered_html

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Press Release

18 February 2025

Sri Lanka Strengthens Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System with the launch of a new UN supported Digital Transformation Initiative

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10 February 2025: The Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations in Sri Lanka have launched the ‘Transforming Local Administrative Data Collection Systems for SDG Acceleration’ Joint Programme, marking a significant step towards strengthening the country's Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. This initiative, named ‘One Registry’, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Sri Lanka, and supported via the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund, aligns with the Government’s broader digital transformation agenda and strategy, aiming to ensure equitable access to quality public services for all citizens, particularly vulnerable populations, and paves the way for inclusive digital transformation and sustainable development.The project launch was held recently in Colombo, with the participation of Hon. Prime Minister (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya; Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Dr. A. H. M. H. Abayarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Eranga, Weeraratne, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Digital Economy; W.R.A.N.S. Wijayasinghe, Registrar General; Marc-Andre Franche, Resident Coordinator, United Nations Sri Lanka; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka; Dr. Shalala Ahmadova, Officer-in-Charge, WHO Sri Lanka; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, alongside UN partners, development agencies, private sector organizations, and CSOs.Highlighting the programme’s transformative potential, Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, emphasized that “Strengthening the CRVS system is a transformative step towards enhancing public administration and driving our digital agenda. This initiative will ensure every Sri Lankan has access to critical services and a recognized legal identity, fostering transparency, inclusivity, and progress.”The initiative focuses on three pillars: digitalized civil registration processes, a functional interoperable registry linked with key government agencies and increased public awareness and digital literacy to maximize the system's benefits. These efforts will complement national digital initiatives, such as the e-NIC and Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) projects, advancing the country’s vision of a unified and digitally inclusive society.Reflecting the UN’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, Mr. Marc-André Franche, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sri Lanka, commented, “The CRVS programme is a critical part of Sri Lanka’s digital journey, providing legal identity for all and generating high-quality data for data-driven policymaking. With the right policies and partnerships, digital technology can drive sustainable development, fostering greater inclusivity and accountability in governance. The United Nations in Sri Lanka is proud to partner with the Government to build a people-centered system that leaves no one behind.Commenting on the initiative, Lars Bredal, Chargé d'Affaires a.i of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives noted, “We are happy to partner with the Government of Sri Lanka, UNDP, and WHO through the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund on the launch of the Joint programme to modernize the country’s civil registration and vital statistics system, facilitating equitable access to quality public services. As a global contributor to the Joint SDG Fund's digitalization window, the EU Global Gateway funding will directly contribute to progress on interlinked SDGs through investment in digitalization. The EU stands ready to share best practice in digitalization and data protection.”The ‘One Registry- Everyone Counts! හැමෝම වැදගත්! அனைவரும் முக்கியம்!’ project supports Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieving the SDGs by laying the groundwork for scalable and sustainable reforms, setting a robust foundation for data-driven policymaking and digital inclusion in Sri Lanka., filtered_html

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Press Release

28 January 2025

Empowering the Hill-Country Tamil Community through Education and Research: Malayaha Teachers’ Research Conference Marks 200 Years of Resilience and Contributions

Organized by the Law and Society Trust in partnership with the Young Researchers Network, the conference brought together educators and young researchers from the Hill-country Tamil community. Over the past year, this initiative has cultivated a network of young teachers and researchers, predominantly women, who have been trained by senior academics to develop research on key issues including land rights, education access, employment, and gender equality.
The conference, which was attended by key stakeholders including the Coordinating Secretary to the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, showcased research that delves into the socio-economic challenges affecting the Hill-country Tamil community, including the ongoing impacts of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis. It served as a platform for dialogue, aiming to foster sustainable solutions and broader social change, particularly through improvements in education, housing, and working conditions."The Hill-country Tamil community exemplifies resilience, yet systemic barriers continue to hinder their progress. This conference is a vital step toward empowering this community through education and actionable research," said Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka. "Through collaboration, we can ensure sustainable development that truly leaves no one behind." The Embassy of Japan emphasized its shared commitment with the United Nations to fostering resilience and inclusive growth. Mr. Kamoshida Naoaki, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka stressed the importance of human security and the empowerment of vulnerable communities including their access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Both the United Nations and the Embassy of Japan reiterated their commitment to addressing to the socioeconomic challenges faced by the hill country community and its sustainable development. “This participatory research initiative by young teachers and researchers will provide ideas for the continued development of education in the Hill Country. This includes support for educational infrastructure, training facilities for teachers, and relief to school children, particularly amidst the economic crisis,” said Dr. Ahilan Kadirgramar, a Senior Researcher supporting Young Researchers Network.
The Malayaha Teachers’ Research Conference is a testament to the power of collaboration and grassroots leadership in driving sustainable development. By empowering young researchers and educators, the initiative lays the groundwork for lasting improvements within the Hill-country Tamil community.
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Press Release

05 February 2025

UNDP and WFP Sri Lanka together with the Ministry of Environment Launch ‘Lesser-Known Foods of Sri Lanka’ Campaign to Boost Biodiversity through Underutilised Crops

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 22 January 2025: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Ministry of Environment have launched a campaign to reintroduce nutritious, underutilised traditional crops into daily diets.‘Lesser-known foods of Sri Lanka’ is an advocacy campaign that aims to tackle the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and improving access to nutritious food for vulnerable communities across the country. This campaign is directly supported through the Early Action Support (EAS) project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which plays a critical role in accelerating Sri Lanka’s implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework by integrating biodiversity conservation into national policies and strategies. The launch of the campaign, which took place yesterday, was attended by representatives from Ministries, Ms. Malin Herwig, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka; and Mr Gerard Rebello, Country Director a.i. of WFP in Sri Lanka. Also present at the event were key representatives from the private sector including the tourism industry, academia, and grassroots level entrepreneurs who are involved in the cultivation of lesser-known food crops. Key activities of the campaign will include the curation and distribution of a recipe book featuring underutilised, nutrient-rich crops. The recipe book will be distributed among participants of WFP’s ‘Home-Grown School Feeding’ (HGSF) project, which provides caterers with the tools, knowledge and support to self-produce food for the national school meal programme. This will help integrate lesser-known foods within the meals served in schools.
Regional events in select locations will serve to engage local communities and conduct informational sessions on the nutritional value of regional lesser-known food crops and their importance towards biodiversity. Thema Collection will support the campaign through cookery demonstrations for local communities as well as leading an engagement with the participation of hospitality students, through special sessions on the importance of biodiversity conservation, healthy eating habits and nutrition and methods of preparing lesser-known foods, hosted at Aliya Resort, Dambulla. Activations will also take place in locations in Colombo, to familiarise these foods with urban communities who have limited access to non-commercially grown produce. The campaign will culminate in an online cooking competition that will take place during the campaign period, together with well-known food personalities.Commenting on UNDPs leadership in the area, Ms. Malin Herwig, Deputy Resident Representative stated, “Many communities are struggling with rising living costs and food insecurity. By promoting the cultivation of lesser-known, nutrient-dense crops that are affordable and easy to grow, we can reduce reliance on expensive food imports and stabilize household food supplies. Through joint campaigns such as this, we hope to raise awareness about underutilized crops with high nutritional value, which not only strengthens food security, but also creates income-generating opportunities for farmers and local businesses while protecting our biodiversity”. WFP’s Sri Lanka Country Director a.i, Gerard Rebello, said access to a wide variety of nutritious and sustainably grown food is the cornerstone of a healthy society. “Through this campaign, we aim to make these foods a part of our daily diets and create a healthier, more resilient future for both people and the planet.”The key objective of this campaign speaks to two main concerns in Sri Lanka; the rapid decline of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and the multiple threats it faces; and the access to nutritious foods among vulnerable communities. By popularising underutilised food crops, the campaign aims to create commercial value for these nutrient-dense food plants and thereby create the incentive for their cultivation and ultimately their preservation. These crops can be easily grown in a home garden or adapted to commercial cultivation – both options would in turn provide affordable and cost-effective sources of nutrition across the urban and rural population of Sri Lanka. The campaign will run from 21st January to 25th February 2025, and more information can be accessed via UNDP Sri Lanka and WFP Sri Lanka social media channels., filtered_html

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