News

As the conditions imposed to stop the spread of Covid-19 were gradually eased, District Inter Religious Committees (DIRCs) across the country began having their regular meetings under health guidance and social distancing rules imposed by the government.

Master trainers conducted a training programme on Conflict Analysis and Management for 20 youth in Matara to provide knowledge, insight and skills in conflict analysis and management under the framework of pluralism under NPC’s project, Technical Assistance to Justice Institutions in Sri Lanka.

Negombo Local Inter Religious Committee (LIRC) held its monthly meeting following  health guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Thirty five members including religious leaders, civil society leaders, government  officers and community coordinating officers attended the meeting.

An information session on leadership, personality and skills development for community groups was organized in Ja-ela by the Gampaha District Human Rights First Aid Centre (HRFAC) under NPC’s project Accountability Through Community Engagement and Initiatives for Transition (ACE-IT), funded by the European Union.

The Consolidating Ongoing Multi-Level Partnership Actions for Conflict Transformation (COMPACT) project will begin its regular meetings, which had stopped during the Covid-19 lockdown, while adhering to all health advisory rules.

A new intervention funded by the European Union (EU) to strengthen Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to prevent violent extremism (PVE) in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be implemented in Sri Lanka by NPC with support from Helvetas.

A new project titled Language to Reconcile (L2R) will be launched in June funded by the National Languages Equality Advancement Project (NLEAP), which is supported by the Canadian government. The issue of language was a key dividing factor in the early years of Sri Lanka’s independence and one of the root causes of the ethnic conflict that escalated into a three decade-long internal war.

Celebrations for Vesak, a significant event for Buddhists and Eid, the end of the fasting period for Muslims, could not be held on a large scale because of the prohibition of large gatherings and the curfew imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Fifty packs of dry rations worth Rs. 52,000 were provided to low income families in Kurunagala affected by the curfew under NPC’s Covid-19 relief programme funded by the Canadian government under its Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

The Galle District Inter Religious Committee (DIRC) supplied dry ration packs to orphanages, elders’ homes and long term care institutes under NPC’s Covid-19 relief programme funded by the Canadian government under its Canada Funds for Local Initiatives (CLFI).

Hambantota DIRC members supplied Rs. 100,000 worth of dry rations to low income families living in the Tangalle and Hambantota areas with funds donated to NPC by Misereor.

NPC’s Beruwala Local Inter Religious Committee (LIRC) supplied dry rations to seven children’s homes, six elders’ homes and 254 families as part of its Covid-19 relief work supported by the Canadian government’s Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

The Negombo Local Inter Religious Committee (LIRC) provided dry rations to 220 marginalised families, the Mahosu Child Development Centre and the Bethony Elders’ Home as part of NPC’s Covid-19 relief work, which is supported by the Canadian government through its Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

Under NPC’s Covid-19 relief programme, the Matara District Inter Religious Committee (DIRC) organized the supply of dry rations to estate workers in Deniyaya who have been affected by the curfew imposed to stop the spread of the virus. The programme is funded by the Canadian government under its Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CLFI).

Two events were held by Weligama Local Inter Religious Committee (LIRC) and Negombo LIRC to remember the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks last year.

With funds from the Canadian government under its Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CLFI), NPC distributed dry rations to 22 children’s homes, 15 elders’ homes and seven centres for the differently-abled in the Colombo district. The District Secretary of Colombo, Pradeep Yasaratne, participated in the events along with other government officials and members of NPC.