News

The Active Citizens for Electoral Democracy (ACED) project, funded by the European Union, conducted youth engagement programmes in Nuwara Eliya, Jaffna and Mullaitivu, strengthening democratic awareness and meaningful political participation among young people. These initiatives form part of ACED’s continued efforts to promote inclusive governance, electoral reform dialogue and youth leadership in democratic processes.

NPC’s Plural Action for Inclusion, Reconciliation, and Social Justice (PAIRS) project, funded by Misereor and co-funded by CAFOD in partnership with a wide network of partner organizations, held several activities for future advocacy.

A dedicated market platform for Persons With Disabilities (PWD) was launched in Puttalam in partnership with Women Organization for Development, Equality, Peace (WODEPT) Puttalam and local women leaders. The initiative was born from a critical need identified by community leaders:

As part of NPC’s Active Citizens for Elections and Democracy (ACED) project, funded by the European Union, a series of mentoring and training programmes were conducted for youth and their network members to strengthen youth participation in elections and democratic processes. These initiatives were particularly important in the post- 2022 aragalaya context, which highlighted a significant gap between youth aspirations and existing political representation.

NPC’s Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Sri Lanka project, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, supported communities severely affected when Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in November, triggering one of the country’s most devastating flood disasters in over 20 years. Nearly 2.2 million people across all 25 districts were impacted, including communities engaged through the Women Organised for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project. Homes, livelihoods and basic necessities were lost overnight, pushing already vulnerable families into deeper hardship. Amid this crisis, women emerged not only as survivors but as leaders driving relief, recovery and community resilience.

The grassroots concerns of marginalised rural youth in the Kandy District were elevated directly to the highest levels of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist spiritual leadership.

NPC’s Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project was affected due to the adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Several project activities were postponed to next year. But women leaders engaged in the project demonstrated commitment and civic responsibility by supporting communities affected by the disaster.

From the flood-affected communities of Monaragala to the vibrant plantation estates of Nuwara Eliya over 2,100 participants including youth, women leaders, religious authorities and government officials came together to strengthen the foundations of peace, inclusion and resilience under NPC’s Plural Action for Inclusion, Reconciliation, and Social Justice (PAIRS) project funded by Misereor and co-funded by CAFOD.

The National Peace Council wishes to express its gratitude to the donors who have contributed generously to our Flood Relief Fund. The amount collected so far is Rs 3,482,204 (approx. USD 11,250) from 16 donors. We appreciate very much your affection and commitment to Sri Lanka and its people in the context of competing demands for your philanthropy.

Eight actualisation activities were conducted across the country under NPC’s Plural Action for Inclusion, Reconciliation and Social Justice (PAIRS) project, funded by Misereor and co-funded by CAFOD. In addition, 15 local and provincial level dialogues with religious leaders and government officials have been held by District Inter Religious Committees (DIRCs) to advocate locally and nationally for social justice and inclusive reconciliation.

NPC, through its ongoing Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project, implemented a two day national level campaign in Kandy, bringing together 120 women leaders representing the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, marking a significant milestone in advancing women’s political participation, leadership and social equity.

NPC’s Executive Director Dr Jehan Perera took part in the first structured dialogue between civil society groups and the NPP government at a meeting to review the national response to Cyclone Ditwah. A small delegation from the CSO-NGO Collective was invited to the Presidential Secretariat together with senior members of the government team handling the crisis. The invitation itself signalled a willingness to draw on the experience and reach of civil society at a moment when the country faces an unprecedented humanitarian and reconstruction challenge.

In the face of severe flooding that has displaced thousands across Sri Lanka, the power of local peacebuilding networks has come through. District Inter Religious Committees (DIRCs), NPC’s community-based formations, swiftly mobilised to provide critical relief to over 1,500 cyclone-affected people in seven districts.

Eight actualisation activities were conducted across the country under NPC’s Plural Action for Inclusion, Reconciliation and Social Justice (PAIRS) project, funded by Misereor and co-funded by CAFOD. In addition, 15 local and provincial level dialogues with religious leaders and government officials have been held by District Inter Religious Committees (DIRCs) to advocate locally and nationally for social justice and inclusive reconciliation.
NPC gathered its grassroots network for a progress review meeting of PAIRS project, bringing together 48 leaders including heads of partner organisations, DIRC coordinators and members from 16 districts. The meeting fostered a dynamic exchange of experiences and strategies.

NPC, through its ongoing Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project, implemented a two day national level campaign in Kandy, bringing together 120 women leaders representing the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, marking a significant milestone in advancing women’s political participation, leadership and social equity.

NPC’s Executive Director Dr Jehan Perera took part in the first structured dialogue between civil society groups and the NPP government at a meeting to review the national response to Cyclone Ditwah. A small delegation from the CSO-NGO Collective was invited to the Presidential Secretariat together with senior members of the government team handling the crisis. The invitation itself signalled a willingness to draw on the experience and reach of civil society at a moment when the country faces an unprecedented humanitarian and reconstruction challenge.

In the face of severe flooding that has displaced thousands across Sri Lanka, the power of local peacebuilding networks has come through. District Inter Religious Committees (DIRCs), NPC’s community-based formations, swiftly mobilised to provide critical relief to over 1,500 cyclone-affected people in seven districts.