Thirty-four new U.S. Peace Corps Trainee Volunteers arrived in Sri Lanka this week, beginning their journey toward two years of service. The Americans will first complete intensive training in Sinhala or Tamil, Sri Lankan culture, and American English-language teaching before taking the Peace Corps Pledge of Service in November. After swearing in, they will serve in the Northern and North Central Provinces, working with Sri Lankan teachers and students to expand American English education, while living with Sri Lankan host families and becoming part of their local communities.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer welcomed the new trainees at the Peace Corps office in Colombo. “The strongest connections between our countries are built person to person, and Peace Corps puts Americans right at the heart of that work,” Ambassador Meyer said. “As they become part of the communities they serve, these new Volunteers will build skills and connections that can open doors to economic opportunity and bring our two democracies closer together across the Indo-Pacific.”

 Peace Corps service in Sri Lanka dates to 1962, when the first American Volunteers arrived at the invitation of the Government of Sri Lanka. More than 500 Americans have served in the country in education, health, agriculture, community development, and tsunami recovery. The program was formally reestablished in 2018 with a renewed focus on English-language education. This newest group will carry that more than six-decade tradition forward when they begin service in Sri Lankan communities later this year.

The US Government’s premier international volunteering agency, the Peace Corps sends passionate and skilled Americans abroad to collaborate on projects that advance both American and host country priorities. This year, the agency commemorates 65 years of putting purpose, passion, and skills to work for America and the world through volunteer service while partnering with ‘America250’ to encourage more Americans to give back. Since 1961, the Peace Corps has played a vital role in advancing U.S. global engagement through the work of close to 250,000 volunteers serving in 144 host countries.

The Church of Ceylon Mothers’ Union (CCMU) celebrated the 150th anniversary of the worldwide Mothers’ Union with a special Eucharistic service at the Church of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo, on August 29.

The Chief Celebrant and Preacher was the Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Dushantha Rodrigo, who blessed and commissioned the new CCMU Executive Committee.

Those commissioned were Rukmal Fernando, Christobel Manohar, Eileen William, Roshini Mendis, Uthpala Kalpage, Dharshini Peter, I. V. Samuel, Tishani De Mel, Sabrina Karunanayake, Shehara Rodrigo, Deemathi Periyapperuma, Jeya Balan, Sriyani Kaldera, Sherrine Perera, Vasanthi Nanayakkara, Iromi Gunawardena, Sudharshini Hettige and Sulochana John.

The Archdeacon, several priests and distinguished invitees attended the service.

The Mothers’ Union was founded in 1876 by Mary Sumner, who sought to support young mothers and strengthen family life through Christian faith and mutual support. Born in Manchester on December 31, 1828, Mary was the daughter of banker Thomas Heywood. She married George Sumner, son of the Bishop of Winchester, in 1848.

The movement has since grown into a global Christian organisation within the Anglican Communion, with more than four million members in 84 countries. Its work focuses on family support, community development, social action, prayer and fellowship.

The Mothers’ Union is headquartered at Mary Sumner House in Westminster, London. Its global Board of Trustees is headed by President Kathleen Snow of Canada.

In Sri Lanka, the CCMU was founded in 1908 and now has more than 3,500 members in 105 branches.

The anniversary service was followed by a Bible quiz award ceremony, a presentation on Mary Sumner and a talent show

More than 130 women in Mullaitivu have received tailored livelihood equipment under an initiative by the Viluthu Foundation for Women aimed at strengthening women’s economic independence and supporting vulnerable families.

The initiative, titled “Her Rise: When She Rises, Communities Rise,” was supported by private donors Shivananth of the Durrai family and S. Raman of Singapore. The donors had previously supported 182 women in Kilinochchi.

The livelihood assistance included industrial and domestic sewing machines, ovens and refrigerators, selected according to the beneficiaries’ existing skills and livelihood needs.

Section of the participants

Speaking at an event organised by the Viluthu Foundation, Mullaitivu District Secretary A. Umamaheswaran said district records showed that around 2,700 of the 47,000 families in the district were entirely headed by women, while more than 6,000 women were widows.

He said women played a major role in sustaining families and that many micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the district were run by women.

Umamaheswaran also recalled his long association with Viluthu founder and social activist Shanthi Sachithanandan, dating back to 2003, and commended her daughters, Maithreyi and Aaranya Rajasingam, for continuing their parents’ work.

The programme was implemented in coordination with the District Secretariat, covering all six Divisional Secretariat divisions and bringing together Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala women.

Shivananth said the initiative was based on the principle that when a woman rises, her family and community also benefit.

Maithreyi thanked the Durrai family and S. Raman, saying the programme had been co-designed with beneficiaries to promote ownership and long-term sustainability.

Viluthu aims to support 100,000 vulnerable women across Sri Lanka through livelihood assistance, market linkages, mentoring and collective support.