Updates

An agreement was signed between National Youth Services Council and SLCDF at the NYSC Headquarters in Maharagama, to enhance knowledge of the youth on Gender Equality (GE) and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) under the No to gender Violence in Sri Lanka Project on 4th July 2022. The initiation was taken by the SLCDF aiming to obtain youth contribution in combating SGBV in the community and to strengthen their knowledge on GE in 3 districts the project being carried out. A small discussion taken place shortly before signing the agreement. Mr. Rashitha Delapola, Director Training NYSC, Mr. Channa Gunarathna, Assistant Director NYSC and members and the office bearers of the National Youth Federation were present representing the NYSC. From SLCDF, Executive Director Mr. Tissa Wijetunga, Senior Programme Officer, Ms. Savini Sirikumara and Programme Officer Ms. Yasodra Chathurangani participated. Mr. Wijetunga speaking on the 'No to Gender Violence in Sri Lanka' project gave an insight to the background of the project. He highlighted the importance of reporting and maintaining of the financial procedures, as required by the donors of this project, Global Affairs Canada as the key funding organization and Developing World Connections as the intermediary organization. The office bearers of the National Youth Federation responsible for implementing the programme, were given a brief orientation by Ms. Sirikumara. The Secretary of National Youth Federation Mr. Tharindu Naveen Kumara appreciated the opportunity given by the SLCDF for the youth through this project. Mr. Delapola stated that this will be a programme by the youth for the youth and that NYSC hopes to carry out the flow of knowledge to the grassroots level where most of the issues occur. At this time Mr. Ravindra Samarawickrama, Chairman of NYSC joined the meeting. Thereafter, the project agreement was signed between Mr. Wijetunga for SLCDF and Mr. Ravindra Samarawickrama for NYSC. In conclusion, the Chairman expressed his gratitude to SLCDF for choosing the NYSC to implement the project and agreed to give his fullest support to achieve the goals of the project within the planned time frame.