News

A research report titled Factors Guiding Voter Preference in Elections in Sri Lanka, commissioned by NPC under the EU funded project Active Citizens for Elections and Democracy, was launched in Colombo.

The study conducted by Dr. Mahesh Senanayake and Ms. Crishni Silva of the University of Colombo offers valuable insights into the key drivers of voter behaviour within Sri Lanka’s dynamic political context. It examines how factors such as economic concerns, perceptions of leadership, trust in public institutions and prevailing social issues influence electoral decisions.

Despite the challenges posed by donor restrictions and funding limitations, NPC will be entering a new phase of the Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project, which will run from May 2025 to April 2026 with continued support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Ten research pods from four universities conducted their social cohesion activities across different locations under NPC's Mobilising University State Engagement for Reconciliation (MUSTER) project, which is supported by Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) and co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office. This intensive implementation phase demonstrated the project's transition from research to meaningful action.

Under NPC’s Plural Action for Inclusion, Reconciliation and Social Justice (PAIRS) project supported by Misereor and CAFOD, several activities were conducted to strengthen democratic processes and civic space.

As part of NPC’s EU-supported Active Citizens for Elections and Democracy (ACED) project’s efforts to advance women’s political participation, a targeted social media campaign was launched ahead of the local government elections to encourage voters to support women candidates. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the cultural barriers and negative narratives that hinder women’s participation in politics as well as the widespread mistrust surrounding their leadership capabilities.

NPC's Mobilising University State Engagement for Reconciliation (MUSTER) project, supported by Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) and Co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office, achieved a significant milestone when the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka conducted a social cohesion activity at Pettigala Tamil College in Balangoda under the guidance of Dr. Chandana Pathirana. The intervention addressed educational challenges identified through their research, focusing on vocational education awareness for plantation community students.

Two research sharing sessions were conducted in Anuradhapura and Batticaloa under NPC’s Active Citizens for Elections and Democracy (ACED) project. Project Manager Ben Perinpanayagam said that the goal of the research was to empower people to make informed decisions and encouraged participants to understand the new findings and contribute meaningfully to the decision making processes within their communities. He urged them to identify and focus on areas requiring concentrated efforts from both civil society and the government.

Under the Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) Project Phase 2, funded by National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a training programme on resource mobilisation and advocacy campaigns was held in Katunayake bringing together 75 women leaders from Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Polonnaruwa.

NPC, through its Plural Action for Inclusion, Reconciliation and Social Justice (PAIRS) project supported by Misereor and CAFOD, conducted 10 District Inter Religious Committee (DIRC) meetings across the country, marking a significant step in promoting peacebuilding, civic awareness and inclusive dialogue in post-conflict regions.

A training session on the rule of law was conducted by NPC’s Action for Religious Coexistence (ARC) project for 32 Divisional Secretariat staff in Kalutara representing 14 Divisional Secretariats across the district, marking a significant step towards enhancing good governance and service delivery at the divisional level.

The government did everything in its power to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the three days in April 4-6 he was in Sri Lanka. The country is known for its hospitality and the government exceeded expectations in its hospitality. There were children to greet the prime minister at the airport along with six cabinet ministers. There was a large banner that described the Indian prime minister in glowing terms. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also conferred the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana Award, the country’s highest award, to Prime Minister Modi in appreciation of friendship and cooperation. The role that the Indian government under him played in saving Sri Lanka from economic disaster three years ago would merit him nothing less. The gesture was not merely humanitarian; it was also an astute expression of regional leadership rooted in a philosophy of “neighbourhood first,” a cornerstone of Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy.

As part of NPC’s Mobilising University State Engagement for Reconciliation (MUSTER) project, supported by Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) and Co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office, four universities - Eastern University of Sri Lanka (EUSL), University of Jaffna (UOJ), University of Ruhuna (UOR) and Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) - have completed 12 research studies aimed at fostering reconciliation, unity and social harmony. The studies were carried out under two key thematic areas: issues impacting ethnic tension and/or relations in the area and fading cultural or traditional practices that foster unity and societal harmony. Each university completed three research projects, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of these critical issues.

NPC’s Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project, which is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), held a zoom session on women empowerment and resource mobilisation, which brought together over 60 women and youth leaders from the Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Polonnaruwa districts.

NPC’s Action for Religious Coexistence (ARC) project conducted a mediation training session in Ampara that brought together 40 participants including Local Inter Religious Committee (LIRC) members, Community Based Organization (CBO) representatives, youth leaders and government officials. The training session aimed to equip participants with essential conflict resolution skills to mediate religious freedom related disputes effectively.

A residential workshop was conducted to enhance the capacity of government officials in the Kandy District under NPC’s Plural Action for Inclusion, Reconciliation and Social Justice (PAIRS) project in collaboration with the Kandy District Inter Religious Committee. The workshop brought together 33 senior officers including the District Secretary, two Additional District Secretaries, the Assistant District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries, senior staff from the District Secretariat and the NGO Coordinator.