Sri Lanka
Why Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has faced two major setbacks in the past two decades: internal conflict with the minority Tamil population and the 2004 Tsunami. Development challenges persist, including inadequate access to water and sanitation, high rates of malnutrition and youth unemployment, and social issues like alcoholism and domestic violence.
Urgent priorities include addressing food security, income needs, and fostering community cooperation for sustainable recovery. Additionally, the country remains vulnerable to natural disasters like floods and drought, exacerbating economic vulnerability.
In addition to these issues, Sri Lanka has a deep need for trauma recovery services for children, especially girls who have survived human trafficking and sexual abuse.
Our work in Sri Lanka
Our partnership with Leads encompasses trauma recovery for children, particularly those who have survived abuse; community empowerment and emergency relief.
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In relation to safeguarding and rehabilitating children, Leads provide legal, psychological, nutritional, and educational support in a holistic approach that includes integrating them into their families and communities.
Community empowerment involves strengthening families, water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives, youth empowerment, social enterprise, and substance abuse rehabilitation, enhancing household resilience.
For emergency relief, Leads emphasise disaster preparedness, relief, recovery and rehabilitation, with a goal to ultimately build resilient communities capable of withstanding and recovering quickly from disasters.
Where our partner works - Western Province
Leads are engaged in communities that touch almost every province of Sri Lanka. Our partnership with Leads is currently focused primarily on the Western Province.
The Statistics¹
22%
of Sri Lanka’s population are experiencing food insecurity
1.4 million
people are living in extreme poverty
15%
of children under five are suffering chronic malnutrition
17%
of children under five experience stunted growth
3/4
of Sri Lanka’s population live in rural areas
300,000
people were displaced by the civil war
1 million
Sri Lankans are unemployed
300%
increase in cybersex crimes against women and children during the pandemic
4,000
complaints of child abuse cases to the National Child Protection Authority in the first six months of 2021
1
References
UN, World Population Prospect, the 2000 revision
UNDP, Human Development Report 2001
WHO, World Health Report 2002
World Bank, World Development Indicators Data Base
ILO, Yearbook of Labour Statistics, 2000
Daily Mirror, 300% increase in cybersex crimes against women, children: Women’s rights activists
Daily News, Over 4,000 child abuse complaints in past six months - NCPA
Our Partner in Sri Lanka - leads
For over forty years, Leads has been operating in Sri Lanka, aiming to spread the love of God through compassionate service. They focus on community transformation, reconciliation, and restoration, prioritising neglected, vulnerable, and disadvantaged individuals, with particular emphasis on children.
Our Partner in Sri Lanka - leads
For over forty years, Leads has been operating in Sri Lanka, aiming to spread the love of God through compassionate service. They focus on community transformation, reconciliation, and restoration, prioritising neglected, vulnerable, and disadvantaged individuals, with particular emphasis on children.
Areas in which we work in Sri Lanka
Trauma Recovery
Community Empowerment
Emergency Relief
Partner Capacity-Building
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