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UNDP, Canada empower SGBV survivors
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka with support from the Government of Canada, last week hosted a ‘Knowledge and Experience Sharing’ event today to showcase the achievements of the 15-month ‘Capacity building for post-shelter economic empowerment of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) victims-survivors’ programme. This pioneering initiative forms a key part of the ‘Ensuring Justice for Victim-Survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Sri Lanka’ project implemented together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sri Lanka.
The event saw high-level participation from Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs; Kiril Iordanov, Head of Cooperation, High Commission of Canada; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP; senior government officials, along with civil society partners, SGBV shelter managers, independent consultants, and survivors themselves. Attendees engaged in knowledge sharing sessions, policy discussions, and a vibrant Pop-up Marketplace featuring products made by programme beneficiaries.
Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, remarked, “Economic resilience offers and escape route and a permanent deterrent against re-victimisation. When a women achieves a sustainable livelihood and controls her own income, she secures; Independence, Resilience, Dignity and Re-integration”
Kiril Iordanov, Head of Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada, added, “While justice is essential, it is not sufficient. Survivors of SGBV need more than legal redress – they need pathways to rebuild their lives with dignity, autonomy, and hope. This is where economic empowerment becomes transformative.”
Over its 15-month course, the initiative targets current and recently exited shelter home survivors across the Northern, North Central, Central, and Western Provinces of Sri Lanka. Survivors receive tailored training, mentorship, and business development support, while shelter staff benefit from capacity building in order to support current and future victim survivors who engage in entrepreneurial activities. A robust monitoring and evaluation framework ensures the sustainability and impact of the programme.
Commenting on UNDP’s technical leadership on the area, Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka stated, “Our pilot initiative in partnership with CSOs clearly highlights the importance of integrating livelihood skills, financial literacy and access to finance in the overall support framework for the victim survivors of SGVB. In order to provide such an end-to-end programme, the government, civil society, and international partners must come together. We must move beyond crisis response and work towards building sustainable pathways through economic empowerment.”
The objectives of the programme centre on enhancing economic resilience and empowerment for SGBV survivors, reducing the risk of re-victimisation, and supporting reintegration into society. By strengthening shelters and providing comprehensive support, the programme aims to create pathways to sustainable livelihoods and economic independence for those affected by sexual and gender-based violence.
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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO] to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,
Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola, Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna, Walapane, Hanguranketha and Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.
“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.
The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.
“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.
She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.
“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.
Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).
His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.
The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.
Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.
With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.
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