A training session was conducted in the Kandy District for 35 participants from members of District Inter Religious Committees (DIRCs), Local Inter Religious Committees (LIRCs) and women’s networks as part of NPC’s European Union funded Active Citizens for Elections and Democracy (ACED) project to address negative narratives around power devolution and promote provincial elections supporting minority participation in governance.
The session was conducted by Dr. Nadeesh de Silva, a senior lecturer at the Open University. The project focuses on addressing misconceptions about devolution and discussing strategies to ensure elections and representation for minority communities and includes 25 district trainings, meetings, social media campaigns and media outreach to highlight the significance of devolution and inclusive governance.
The training covered Sri Lanka's diverse ethnic composition and explored the historical and cultural influences on perceptions of devolution. Key topics included mindful voting and its role in equitable representation, the relationship between pluralistic governance and inclusion and common false narratives such as concerns about national division and security risks.
Participants discussed the outcomes of power devolution including the rule of law and equity and debated structural approaches for power sharing within a legislative framework. Participants analysed positive and negative narratives about devolution. Historical incidents were identified as a key influence on perceptions. Some participants highlighted the need for structural rather than divisive approaches to power sharing. One participant emphasised structured mechanisms for devolution while another raised concerns about the lasting effects of historical ideologies. A female participant noted devolution’s potential to promote equity and the rule of law.
The ACED project will hold similar programmes across 25 districts focusing on promoting diverse representation in governance and addressing misconceptions about devolution. NPC and its networks aim to support efforts toward inclusive governance.