Under NPC’s project Sustainable Peace through Pluralism and Inclusive Service Delivery funded by Freedom House, a meeting was conducted in Ratnapura to draft a questionnaire for research aimed at identifying shortcomings in public services facing the community.

Ten government officials who are enrolled in the Inclusive Service Delivery advanced certificate course at Sabaragamuwa University met youth community facilitators and human rights defenders representing the Malaiyaha community. Facilitated by Senior Lecturer at the university, Ravindra Palliaguru, the session focused on research methodologies and ethical considerations for conducting the research.

Grama Niladaris and development officers were among the participants, fostering the collaboration essential for achieving positive change. The meeting served as a platform of opportunity for youth facilitators to share the challenges and issues the Malaiyaha community faces in accessing public services including the absence of estate hospitals or dispensaries near the estates, the lack of women/youth/elder societies to advocate for community rights and the inadequacy of the water supply system.

The youth facilitators contributed to developing the questionnaire based on their experiences with the Malaiyaha community and engaged with the government officials. Establishing a relationship with government officials was very important because the young people will serve as access points for the Malaiyaha community to access public services.