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NPC, in collaboration with its partner organization Future in Our Hands Development Fund, conducted an actualisation activity in Passara in the Badulla District focussing on supporting women affected by cyclone Ditwah who were residing in temporary camps. The women, most of whom were from the Malaiyaha Tamil community, were facing economic hardship and have been physically and emotionally affected by the losses, which caused significant disruption to their livelihoods. Through a series of focus group discussions facilitated by Local Government Authority leaders, participants highlighted the urgent need for sustainable economic empowerment opportunities.

A seminar to advance the reconciliation process through inclusive dialogue and collective action was held in Kandy, bringing together over 100 civil society representatives from diverse sectors alongside partners including the Kandy District Inter Religious Committee, Kandy Civil Society Coalition, Youth Democracy Congress, Social Solidarity Foundation, Lanka Teachers' Union and the Association of LGA members.

NPC, in collaboration with its partner organization Future in Our Hands Development Fund, conducted an actualisation activity in Passara in the Badulla District focussing on supporting women affected by cyclone Ditwah who were residing in temporary camps. The women, most of whom were from the Malaiyaha Tamil community, were facing economic hardship and have been physically and emotionally affected by the losses, which caused significant disruption to their livelihoods. Through a series of focus group discussions facilitated by Local Government Authority leaders, participants highlighted the urgent need for sustainable economic empowerment opportunities.

Several meetings and actualisation activities were held under NPC’s Plural Action for Inclusion, Reconciliation, and Social Justice (PAIRS) project funded by Misereor and co-funded by CAFOD in collaboration with partner organizations.

An article published by Daily FT highlights the inclusion of Dr. Jehan Perera, Executive Director of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka, among distinguished South Asian figures nominated for the Quarticentennial Merited Impacts Gazette (2000–2025)—a global initiative recognising individuals whose contributions have had a transformative impact on society.

The feature notes that Dr. Jehan Perera has been recognised for his longstanding work in promoting peace, human rights, and inter-ethnic reconciliation in Sri Lanka. He is among four Sri Lankans named in the list, alongside other eminent personalities from across South Asia.

The Gazette, developed by Impact Hallmarks, is based on a 25-year assessment of over 1.9 million individuals worldwide, identifying those whose work has made significant and lasting contributions to humanity, knowledge systems, and social resilience.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.ft.lk/business/South-Asian-icons-from-Bangladesh-Sri-Lanka-India-and-Pakistan-feature-in-21st-century-s-global-merit-poll/34-789774

A recent micro survey conducted by NPC in Jaffna offers a revealing snapshot of public opinion in the north. The survey, carried out among young people at a focus group discussion on citizen perceptions of the electoral process, points to a cautiously improving mood. Its findings broadly align with a national survey by Verité Research that showed government approval at 65 percent in early February 2026.

A two day intervention programme that brought together women leaders from the Polonnaruwa and Monaragala Districts was held in Matara under NPC’s Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project, creating a powerful platform for cross-district collaboration and solidarity.

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.