A progress review meeting under NPC’s Mobilising University State Engagement for Reconciliation (MUSTER) project, supported by Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office, was held in Batticaloa bringing together officials from the Batticaloa District Secretariat and research pods from the Eastern University of Sri Lanka (EUSL) to assess the project’s progress and determine the next steps.

The meeting was attended by 15 research pod students and four university lecturers from EUSL, along with senior district officials including the Batticaloa District Secretary, Additional District Secretary, NGO Coordinator, Integration Officer, Cultural Officer and Planning Officer. NPC’s treasurer, Prof. T. Jeyasingam, also joined the meeting along with the MUSTER project team.

The main objective of the meeting was to review the research findings and identify areas where both the research pods and government officials could collaborate on social cohesion activities. These activities are based on the findings of the research reports and are intended to address community challenges and promote unity.

During the meeting the research pods from EUSL shared their findings, highlighting key issues in the community and potential strategies for promoting social cohesion. District officials provided feedback, emphasising the importance of aligning research outcomes with practical policy actions. The meeting underscored the need for continued collaboration between state institutions and universities to ensure the successful implementation of research driven solutions.

Mrs. J.J. Muraleetharan, Batticaloa District Secretary, expressed her appreciation for the work done by the university research pods. “I am truly impressed with the work done by the research pods in identifying key issues within each research scope in the district. The results, driven by the collaborative efforts of the District Secretary’s office and university students, demonstrate how effective a mechanism can be when proper coordination is in place. The government has already initiated several measures and significant progress has been made in addressing the issues. Situations are evolving positively thanks to the actions taken by the District Secretariat officers and government officials. Today most of the issues are nearly resolved and what we see now is far less than what was initially identified. I deeply appreciate the dedication of the students in their efforts to help build a peaceful society," she said.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue the collaboration between the university and the government to address community issues and promote reconciliation through targeted, research based actions. The ongoing efforts under the MUSTER project will contribute to sustainable solutions for the district.