Life style
The National Mediation Programme: A force for women’s rights in Sri Lanka
Currently, violence against women has become a social issue, as well as a basic human rights issue in various South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka.One of the basic issues related to this problem is the lack of awareness among women about topics such as, what is violence against women? How does it work? What are the consequences? What are ways to prevent it? What are the legal procedures? What is the correct place to direct this question? Another issue related to this topic is the level of secrecy and privacy maintained regarding such issues.
Every woman has the right to her own life, and the right to equality and freedom same as men. Everyone should be under full protection under the law of the country, without any discrimination. It is imperative that all forms of prejudice and discrimination, as well as any inhumane treatment or punishment, should be prohibited.
When it comes to women-related disputes, the proceedings and operations of Mediation Boards should be well-known, as it could be beneficial for women who have found it difficult to access the formal justice system.
The first Community Mediation Boards (CMBs) were established in Sri Lanka in 1990, as per the Mediation Boards Act (No. 72/1988). This was approved with the intention of having key members of society play a role in settling disputes between individuals (which include minor criminal offences, civil, land, and debt issues) in an equal, just, and unbiased manner.
With policy oversight and administrative support from the Ministry of Justice, the National Mediation Programme of Sri Lanka is currently led by the Mediation Boards Commission (MBC) and supported by well-trained volunteer mediators across the island.The Mediation Board Act No.72 of 1988 defines ‘Mediation’ as follows:
“Mediation, as a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), is a course of actions taken to bring about an amicable settlement between the disputants by regular means, with their consent, and whenever practicable, removing the real cause of the grievance to prevent recurrence of the dispute of concern.”
The main objective of setting up Community Mediation Boards (CMBs) across Sri Lanka is to reduce the escalation of local conflicts. This is done by providing the necessary facilities and attaining volunteer-based efforts to focus on resolving disputes from a grassroots level –ensuring that peace and harmony among communities are maintained.
Community Mediation Boards (CMBs) are based around Divisional Secretariat offices located all over the island. The services provided by CMBs are very important, especially for women and marginalised communities.
Under the National Mediation Programme, various disputes and minor offences are often referred to the closest CMB. The chairperson will appoint a Mediation Board with the consent of both parties consisting of three mediators to discuss the relevant issue or dispute. The disputant initiating the dispute is considered as the first party, and the other is considered the second party. Through this mediation process, the relevant dispute is discussed between these two parties, while the three mediators facilitate – making them the third party.
During the process, if one party is a woman and has difficulty in presenting her problem, she is allowed to ask for at least one woman mediator to be present. Additionally, if the problem cannot be stated directly in one session, it can always be presented later.
Using Mediation Boards to solve disputes is an inexpensive option. If a complaint is made through the police or the court, and referred for mediation, then the service will be completely free of charge. In any other case, it would cost Rs 5/-. A unique feature of the mediation process is the ability for parties to present their disputes by themselves, unlike in a public court of law, where cases are presented by representatives. This allows people to give life to their grievances and express their feelings in front of the Mediation Board.
In terms of privacy at the Mediation Boards, anyone can submit their issues to the Mediation Board in confidence without worrying about privacy. Mediation of disputes will then be carried out with confidentiality. The level of confidentiality is high as the Mediation Board is legally barred from presenting personal statements to a court of law as evidence.
Mediators are typically nominated by the Divisional Secretary or Chairperson of the specific Mediation Board, or nominated by non-government or political organisations, religious leaders, school principals or government officials. They are selected through an interview process and undergo 40 hours of training in mediation techniques and skills.
Mediators seek to understand power imbalances between disputing parties and focus on creating equal power between disputants, as a basis for an effective settlement of a dispute. Unlike in the adversarial formal court system, the role of the mediator is not to solve the dispute, but rather to help disputants find a win-win solution acceptable to both parties, without deciding who is right or wrong.
For more information about the Community Mediation Board in your area, reach out to your nearest Divisional Secretariat, Gramaseva Niladhari Office or even through the Mediation Boards Commission. Refer your disputes to a Mediation Board. Save your time, effort, and money while opting for a successful fair and impartial mediation!
Hilton Colombo invited guests on a gastronomic journey through the heart of the Middle East with an exclusive culinary festival from March 1 to 31, 2025. Spearheaded by Executive Chef Chamlie Waidyaratne and his team, the festival showcased an array of authentic regional flavors, promising an unforgettable dining experience said a press release.
The grand opening of the festival was held recently and the event commenced with a religious choral performance by the Muslim Choral Ensemble of Sri Lanka, setting the tone for the evening. The grand opening of the festival was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including . Andrés Marcelo González Garrido – Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka, . Badli Hisham Adam – High Commissioner of Malaysia to Sri Lanka, H.E. Levan S. Dzhagaryan – Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka, H.E Semih Lütfü Turgut – Ambassador of Türkiye to Sri Lanka, diplomats of the High Commission of Canada, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Embassy of Romania in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The distinguished guests were warmly welcomed by Manesh Fernando, Area General Manager for Hilton Sri Lanka and General Manager of Hilton Colombo.
During the event, uests can indulge in this exceptional dining experience at Rs. 9,388 per person from Sunday to Thursday, while the weekend rate (Friday and Saturday) is Rs. 9,888 per person.
A memorable iftar enhanced by exceptional culinary offerings in Colombo says a press release.The release said as twilight descends, experience a traditional Ramadan at ITC Ratnadipa, featuring a selection of iftar offerings that harmonize tradition with sophistication.
Share a memorable iftar this Ramadan with family, friends or colleagues here in the jewel in Colombo’s skyline from the 1st March onwards.
The release said break your fast by tucking into mezze, mixed grills, authentic dishes and Middle Eastern cuisine complemented by traditional beverages at the Indian Ocean Pavilion. This dining experience elevates traditional recipes while preserving its authentic roots, executed by culinary wizards at the all-day-dining (buffet) restaurant located on Level 3. The iftar buffet is priced at Rs. 6,300 ++ per person and happens daily from 6.15 pm – 9.00 pm onwards.
Gather at the Peshawri for a flavour packed iftar, with dishes from the North-West frontier. Served in a warm, welcoming space that captures the spirit of togetherness, Peshawri features a combination of breads and meats together with vegetarian options for your whole family. The atmosphere is serene while you enjoy your meal priced at Rs. 7,000++ per person.
The hotel will also offer a take-away service of mouthwatering biriyanis during the month of Ramadan. Relish in authentic tastes from timeless recipes, all in the comfort of your home, with orders placed 04 hours in advance. The Biryani sawans serve 06 adults comfortably and is priced at Rs. 13,400++ (Chicken biryani) and Rs. 22,323++ (Mutton biriyani).
ITC Ratnadipa also invites you to host iftar gatherings at the beautiful Sangam Ballroom with a minimum guest count of up to 100 people. A beautiful occasion, one that everyone is welcome as you dig into feast of Arabic and international favourites. Celebrate the traditions of the holy month with a curated menu at Sangam priced at Rs. 8,186++ per person applicable for all Corporate iftars. Prayer facilities will be provided.
Sabrina Zavahir, the Founder of Verbalize Speaker-Hub, is a trailblazer in enhancing communication skills, both for corporate employees and job seekers, through her innovative approach in setting up a communication hub
To empower young professionals and career seekers to enhance their soft skills to succeed in today’s competitive job market Verbalize speaker- Hub was launched to empower young professionals .
Considering this vacuum in the corporate sector Verbalize Speaker Hub, was founded in view of taking into account on how Communication in Effective English is one of the most important levers of management that an organization can implement for the formation of teams and achieving valuable performance.
Drawing from her extensive media exposure, lecturing experience, Journalism and corporate work background, she created a customised programme aimed at advancing both written and spoken communication. This initiative is designed to help individuals sharpen their language skills, enabling them to thrive in professional environments or secure job opportunities. By tailoring her programme to meet specific needs, Sabrina ensures that participants receive targeted guidance, enhancing their ability to express ideas transparently and effectively. Her unique combination of expertise in media, education, and business gives her an edge in delivering high-quality training that addresses real-world communication challenges. This programme continues to empower individuals, making Sabrina Zavahir a key figure in fostering better communication for career success.
dence. These improve vate team performance and customer satisfaction, which are essential components of today’s business accomplishment.
To strengthen the Verbalize Speaker-Hub business concept, Sabrina Zavahir, partnered with CAREER 141 for strategic corporate talent fulfillment and collaborated with BIMT Colombo Campus as the premier corporate education resource center. This powerful alliance enhances the project reach and impact, providing tailored communication training solutions for both corporate professionals and job seekers, while aligning with leading organizations to foster career development and communication excellence across industries.
The event sponsor was AICPA AND CIMA Sri Lanka while the digital partner was Digital – Timez . The launch was , attended by industry professionals, young leaders, and corporate partners, where Verbalize Speaker Hub (Pvt) Ltd, showcased the company’s vision and commitment to shaping the future of the workforce.
Sabrina Zavahir is a seasoned media personality with over 15 years of experience and counting, currently serving as a News Presenter and Broadcaster at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. She has 12 years of corporate experience as being a HR professional in a leading conglomerate and at a telecom company, managing VIP clients. Sabrina is an IELTS Speech Evaluator and Trainer, a registered Speech and Drama instructor at Trinity College of London, and holds a Master’s degree from Canterbury Christ Church University (UK) together with a TESOL qualification. She is also pursuing a certification to be a Life and Business Coach.
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