The Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) was established in 1974 as the community education project of the Sri Lanka Foundation (SLF) and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) under the terms of the Sri Lanka Foundation Law No. 31 of 1973.

Sri Lanka Foundation functions under the presidential secretariat and is managed by a governing board appointed by Her Excellency the President of Sri Lanka.

Aims and objectives of the foundation are:-

• To promote an understanding of and belief in the democratic way of life and the protection of human rights

• To promote international co-operation with respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms to all

• To encourage and promote education and acquisition and diffusion of knowledge among the masses in all branches of knowledge and social progress by strengthening the institutional capacity to nurture a peaceful, democratic and progressive society.

During the early stages, the Institute concentrated its efforts in two main areas of activity, namely, workers education and community development. Later its scope of activity expanded and now SLFI conducts educational programmes under 3 strategic areas:

1. Human Rights

2. Industrial Relations

3. Good Governance

Under the 3 strategic areas, SLFI has organised training programmes & workshops on topics such as Gender Justice, National Integration, Peace and Democracy, Leadership, Governance and Management, Opportunities on the internet and E-Governance etc. SLFI also designs educational programmes on request. In organizing educational activities SLFI networks with government organisations, NGO's, and private institutions.

Sri Lanka Foundation Commission on Democracy and Human Rights is the other project of the Sri Lanka Foundation. The Commission focuses its attention on three areas:

• Human rights and peace education
  

• Research on human rights and democracy
  

• In points into drafting policy

Research is carried out by the academic staff on related issues with assistance of the SLF Commission on Democracy and Human rights. Dissemination of research articles will be through the journal, SLFI Forum. The internship programme of SLFI provides on-the-job training opportunities for outstanding performers at the GCE (A/L) and recent graduates and the annual research fellowship is offered with the assistance of FES.

The Institute has a modest, but modern library accessible to all participants in the fields of Adult Education, Social Sciences, Media and Democracy, which are major areas of SLFI activities. The uniqueness of this library is its SAARC documentation section, which is the second of its kind in the SAARC region. The library also has CDS/ISIS catalogue facilities and access to the internet.

Under the public lecture series two public lectures per month are held on current issues.

SLFI also conducts diploma programmes on journalism & communication, leadership and organizational management, governance and public policy, counselling, teaching of English and has planned few more programmes at regional level in the near future.

Language training courses for professionals are conducted in Tamil and English Languages.

SLFI in collaboration with the National Council of Swedish Youth Organizations has launched a three year project titled 'Democratic Youth Leadership Programme' to promote the development of organizational and institutional capacity in the youth field.

SLFI has a total staff of 89. SLFI also hires out its facilities like lecture halls, accommodation, audio-visual aids and catering services etc.

Address:
No.100, Independence Square, Colombo 7 - Sri Lanka.
Tel.:  00 941 2691814/ 2695249
Fax.: 00 941 2679686
E-Mail: slfi_director@eureka.lk

ORIGIN
In 1997 trade unions associated with educational programmes conducted by FES Colombo office took a decision to form themselves into an organization to promote worker education and training on a joint basis. A loosely knit organization styled "Trade Union Education Co-ordinating Committee" (TUECC) came into being as a result on 31st March, 1997. A year later, encouraged by the success achieved by the TUECC in bringing together 16 major trade unions to work jointly in the field of labour education, a further step was taken to reinforce the unity achieved and give it a more solid foundation. Thus TUECC gave birth to NATURE (The National Association for Trade Union Research & Education). The inaugural meeting of NATURE was held on 10th July 1998 at the Ceylon Estate Staff's Union auditorium.

 Objectives

1. The promotion, encouragement and adoption of an integrated approach to trade union education and research

2. The encouragement, promotion acquisition and diffusion of knowledge among trade unions and their members pertaining to all branches of work-life and social programmes.

3. The promotion of international understanding and co-operation in on observance trade union rights and fundamental freedoms.

4. To collaborate with and enter into relations with other national and/or international organizations having same or similar objectives.

 MEMBER UNIONS OF NATURE

 01. Ceylon Worker's Congress       (CWC)
 02. Ceylon Estate's Staffs Union    (CESU)
 03. Ceylon Federation of Labour    (CFL)
 04. Ceylon Federation of Trade Union   (CFTU)
 05. Ceylon Tamil Teachers' Union         (CTTU)
 06. Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya            (JSS)
 07. Joint Plantation Trade Union Center      (JPTUC)
 08. Lanka Jathika Estate Workers' Union    (LJEWU)
 09. Public Service Trade Union Federation  (PSTUF)
 10. Public Service United Nurse's Union      (PSUNU)
 11. Samastha Lanka Rajaye Lipikaru Sangamaya (SLRLS)
 12. Sri Lanka Nidhahas Rajaye Vurthiya Samithi Sammelanaya (SLNRVSS)
 13. Sri Lanka Nidhahas Sevaka Sangamaya       (SLNSS)
 14. Telecommunication Officer's Union               (TOU)
 15. Union of Post & Telecommunication Officers'  (UPTO)
 16. United Federation of Labour                           (UFL)

 Present Office Bearers
  President                -  Palitha Atukorale
  Vice Presidents (2)  -  Harry Sandarasekara and S. Arulnandhy
  General Secretary   -  T.M.R. Rasseedin
  Deputy Secretary    -  S. Saravanapavananthan
  Treasure                 - D.C. Weerasekara

 Address:
  National Resources Centre, 225/D/1/2, Kotta Road, Colombo 8
  Telephone: 2598547 
  E-Mail: natureunions@yahoo.co.uk

The Progress Union has been in operation in the Biyagama EPZ since August 1999. Since its inception its area of activity had been focused towards organising EPZ and informal sector unorganised workers. The challenges and circumstances encountered by The Progress Union during the course of its routine activities are quite different from that of the traditional trade union movement of the country. This is largely due to the young membership and the priorities of the profit oriented tight working schedules of export based private sector enterprises. In the other hand the sizeable number of young female membership too contributes to this challenging environment.  

The activities of The Progress Union are conducted with the assistance of
permanent and part time organisers working with the Union. The organisers do directly deal with the workers in the field and at the lodging or boarding places of workers. Similarly workshops on trade union building and on inter related topics are conducted regularly. An important feature of this exercise is the emphasis directed towards encouraging and empowering female workers to successfully get involved
in to the main stream of union activities. A series of programmes aimed at improving female participation in union activities and in the decision making process is being implemented since February 2001.

The following is a brief account of the activities envisaged and the challenges encountered by The Progress Union during the last two years.

i. Membership

The membership mainly consists of young workers within the age category of 18-30. Often these members are freshers to trade unions and have never been in any other trade union before. The large female membership too is a unique character. Their needs and priorities are different from that of the ordinary work force of the rest of the country. These characteristics have made it mandatory for The Progress Union to carefully adapt to these changing environments to succeed in the organising process in the EPZs. Apart from the EPZ members a few hundred informal sector workers are also part of The Progress Union. They come from mini industrial workplaces engaged in manual operations in the Gampaha District.

At present The Progress Union has 18 branch unions in the Biyagama EPZ and they mainly represent Electronic, metal related accessories, chemical, clothing and garment sector workers.

ii. Industrial Relations facilitation

The Progress Union does attend to the necessities of legal aid assistance through education and awareness programmes and direct legal assistance to the workers. This includes filing action, representing workers at Labour Tribunals and Inquiries, etc.. . Similarly workers are offered assistance in resolving technical issues relating to industrial relations such as dealing with the respective labour officers of the Labour Department, resolving EPF, ETF complications, helping to workout payments of over time dues at workplaces etc. There exists a strong demand for activities of this nature. Services such as this have greatly assisted to carry the message of unionisation and justify the necessity of trade unions and of what they can achieve by being organised.

iii. Labour Tribunal Applications

Filing of Applications on behalf of unfairly terminated workers, before the Labour Tribunal is an import area of activity undertaken by the union. Filing of applications before the Labour Tribunal, against unfair terminations is often overlooked by most workers till recent, which had resulted in employers mercilessly terminating large numbers of workers sans proper reasons and young inexperienced union activists were victims on many occasions.

The Progress Union does appear free of charge on behalf of workers in such Labour Tribunal cases. This is a unique service rendered by the union and has a tremendous response from among the EPZ workers. At times it has also resulted positively towards workers organising themselves. As a result of this exercise a few of such terminated workers have been reinstated, in service with benefits such as back wages and job security. Labour Tribunal actions are a popular instrument being used by The Progress Union and has a positive response from among the workers.

iv. Promoting Reading Facilities

The Progress Union has made available necessary news and other related reading materials in the union office with the aim of improving the overall standard of awareness of workers. Audio video facilities are also provided to conduct and view programmes relating to Industrial relations, women's participation in trade unions, Industrial safety and health, current affairs and other news items, etc.. to workers. This remains to be an attractive exercise and also serve as a crowd puller towards the Union and in return helps to promote the interest of unionisation among workers.

v. Prevention of sexual harassment

A special complaint desk is being maintained to take down complaints on sexual harassment at workplaces and in the surrounding environment. The Progress Union co-ordinates with the Police and other relevant authorities regarding incidents of harassments and does take steps to prevent and remedy such situations. It also has an investigating unit which will carefully examine such complaints. This investigating unit comprises of some voluntary EPZ union activists who have been trained at anti-sexual harassment programmes and had taken part in the regular Trade Union organising education workshop series being conducted at The Progress Union. These volunteers along with the Union staff do conduct awareness raising and education programmes in boarding houses of workers on preventing and dealing with sexual harassment at workplaces.

vi. Occupational Safety and Health

Promoting occupational safety and health at workplaces is a key activity envisaged by The Progress Union. In the other hand this has proved to be the most successful instrument that can lure EPZ worker towards organising. Often the union has a good possibility in showing quick results by making complaints to the Factory Safety division of the Department of Labour, which may result in inspections and in recommendations on strengthening safety measures. This helps to create confidence among the workers on the union and on the benefits of organising. It has been clearly experienced over the past few years the issue of safety and health is very sensitive towards the EPZ workers, as generally the overall working conditions entails serious safety risks. The tight working schedules and the restricted zone environment, which prevents movements of outsiders and lack of openness towards the outer world have considerably attributed towards this high-risk work environment. Taking this fact in to account, The Progress Union always provides high priority for safety and health issues and raises it as a major issue of debate. In the other hand it can effectively contributed towards the reduction and prevention of a range of industrial accidents and hazards. During the last couple of years positive results have been achieved by making complaints on unsafe work environments. However, still a large amount of work needs to be done and the lack of resources and the bureaucratic inefficiency in the Department of Labour remains to be a major problem.

vii. Legal action to ensure application of principles enshrined in ILO
      Convention 87 & 98

The Progress Union has filed an application for a Writ of Mandamus before the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka(the country's 2nd highest court). It seeks to make accessible the rights enshrined in ILO Convention 87 & 98 to all EPZ workers.

viii. Joint activities

The Progress Union along with two other non-political unions namely the Free Trade Zone Workers Union and the All Ceylon Federation of Free Trade Unions held a joint May Day rally in the outskirts of Colombo in 2001.This is considered to be the first non-political joint May Day rally of the EPZ workers.

The Progress Union does also work with a coalition of other unions in order to combat the harmful effects of the government's proposed labour law reform programme. Keen emphasis is being focused on the proposed hire & fire law and the female workers overtime extension issue.

Address:
 No. 665/8, New Kandy Road, Waduvegama, Biyagama, Sri Lanka.
 E-Mail: hvision@sltnet.lk

About Us
The POWER Foundation is a non-profit service oriented development organization.
It is committed to innovative, interactive and participatory development in helping the poor Plantation and rural communities in overcoming poverty and Challenges of discrimination and marginalization.

The POWER Foundation is dedicated to the uplifting of the quality of life of the Plantation poor in the Badulla District. It concentrates its efforts and resources to improve the standard of welfare of the down trodden plantation community.

History
The Power Foundation was established in 1986 initially to enlighten the plantation community and the rural sector and to help them tackle their problems. The POWER Foundation is the result of a painful thinking of the like-minded people and mainly a brainchild of its current chairman Mr. K. Velayudam. It has sailed since inception, overcoming tidal waves and many challenges of counter propaganda by adversaries.

After a long struggle the organization has been able to prove its credibility and gain recognition and acclaim from the community and the International funding agencies and donors for accomplishing a commendable task for the poor of this region. Today with widened objectives and activities The POWER Foundation is the leading local NGO in the Province.

Development Goal

To enhance socio-economic achievements and a better living environment with education and skill advancement, human dignity, recognition and collective responsibility for the plantation working community.

Objectives

• Uplifting the socio-economic, environmental and cultural standards of the Plantation and rural communities by ensuring a decent standard of living for these plantation workers and the rural peasants.

• Initiate, promote and develop a strengthened educational base by providing knowledge and skills training in community development.

• To raise a collective voice through awareness programmes and to protest vehemently against violations of Human Rights, promote gender equality and formulate and implement appropriate programmes for the proper care of vulnerable poor groups of the Plantation sector.

• To be an ever caring and responsible organization by encouraging development and training of our staff and mobilizers and to encourage commitment and pride in each other.

• To cooperate with our implementing partners and funding agencies in promoting the welfare of rural poor.

• To remain a responsible and reorganized member of the society by promoting an environment where not only the needs of these local community are met, but also the needs of the global society are met now and in future.

• To remain non-partisan in all social, racial, political, ethnic and religious matters.

• To act at all times with honesty, transparency and integrity and within legal and regulatory requirements.

Values
To continue to initiate, develop and sustain community programmes, provide services through an innovative and participatory approach whilst helping the plantation communities in overcoming poverty and challengers of discrimination and maginalization by: -

• Offering support and assistance to all communities in the Plantation sector regardless of creed religion caste and ethnic affiliations.

• To introduce and promote concepts of community participation to the Plantation sector.

• To be effective and efficient in initiating and developing community programmes, and attracting more partners to work along side so as to ensure continued salvation and development of these sectors.

Culture

We aim at continuous improvement of service providing which is performance related through a strongly empowered work force through a well, self managed team of staff, social mobilizers and volunteers who work for these communities with pride and great humility.

Mission

To be the voice of the poor and create awareness, promote and uplift the well-being of the rural and the plantation poor through initiating and developing socio economic activities for sustainable development, through an innovative and participatory approach in order to achieve and enhance economic standards, empowerment, Human dignity, ethnic harmony, equality and peace.

Our Involvement

• Entrepreneurship Programmes
         º Trainings
         º Development advises
  

• Credit and IGP programmes
         º Revolving loans
         º Education loans
         º Income generating loans
  

• Awareness and social mobilization
  

• Empowerment
         º  Special women programmes
         º  Income generating projects
  

• Gender Sensitization and women development
  

• Environment protection and promotion
         º Tree Planting
         º Composed manure
         º Water and Sanitation
         º Garbage Pits
         º Housing
         º Awareness
  

• Human Rights
         º Basic human rights
         º Women's rights
         º Child Rights
         º Worker's Rights
         º Basic Civil Values
  

• Skills training and development
         º Computer , Photography
         º Sewing, Green House
         º Handy Craft, Catering
         º Beauty Culture, Wall Painting
         º Screen Printing, Animal Husbandry
         º Patchwork, Masonry
  

• Youth development
         º Career Guidance
         º Entrepreneurship Development
         º Credit Facility
         º Sports
         º Integration Youth Camps
  

• Ethnic Integration
         º Integration camps
         º Youth camps
         º Cultural exchange
         º Conflict resolution
  

• Education
        & Pre- school
        & Supportive Classes
        & Language Classes
        & Awareness on school retention methods
  

• Social welfare
        º Mobile health clinics
        º Elders care
        º Youth activities
        º Nutritional programmes
        º Donations
  

• Trainings/Courses/Seminars and Workshops
  
        º Non-violent conflict Resolution
        º Community development
        º Human rights
        º Gender sensitization
        º Occupational safety and health
        º Leadership development
        º Micro-credit
        º Worker right

• Today's Focus
  
        º Awareness creation and leadership development skills
        º Skills Trainings
        º Gender Programmes
        º Environmental Issues
        º Non-Violence Conflict Resolution
        º Sustainability
        º Social Integration Programmes

Future Focus

• Advanced Skills Training
  
        º Advanced Computer Training
        º Advanced Business Enterprises Skills
  

• Human Rights
  
        º Basic Human Rights
        º Women's Rights
        º Workers Rights
        º Child Rights
  

• Advocacy
  
        º  Awareness Raising
        º  Creative actions
        º  Campaigning for recognition
  

• Non Violent Conflict Resolution
  - Conflict Resolution at
  
        º Workers/employees level
        º Family level
        º Plantation level
        º Community level
        º National Level

 PROBLEMS - ADDRESSED BY POWER

• GENERAL PROBLEMS
        º General Working Conditions          
        º Living Conditions
        º Environmental Issues                    
        º Security Issues
        º Citizenship                                   
        º Voting Rights
        º Recognition                                  
        º High Dependency
        º Mobility
  

• YOUTH PROBLEMS
        º Unemployment
        º Lack of Relevant Skills
        º Security
        º Knowledge of Other Languages
        º Plantation Environment
        º Information on Labour Market Situation
  

• WOMEN PROBLEMS
        º Unequal Treatment
        º Abuse
        º Discrimination
        º Recognition
        º Security
        º Language
        º Legal Literacy

 Mr. K. Velayudam
 Chairman - Power Foundation
 24, Bandaranayaka Mawatha, Badulla - Sri Lanka.
 Tel.: 074-499636,  055-2224182,  055-2232085
 E-Mail: power@mail.ewisl.net

(Center for Community Dialogue and Communication)

PRASANNI is a non-profit, private, volunteer organization. It was formed in 1998 and is registered under the Companies Act as an Association. It has a Women's Division, a Research, Documentation & Publications Division and a Micro-Enterprise/Savings & Credit Division. It has 14 full-time staff nine of whom are women. Its chairperson, vice-chairperson, executive directress and secretary are women. It has established a national network of people's organizations, with affiliated units in two districts. PRASANNI is recognized as a frontline organization in mobilizing a national people's constituency to achieve an honorable peace.

The Crisis And the Challenge

PRASANNI was born as a response to a crisis and a challenge. We are witness to an organic crisis of Sri Lankan society. We have been witness to two armed insurgencies,
a protracted civil conflict, a breakdown of traditional norms of coexistence, a generalized undermining of democratic governance, increasing economic dependence and, a degeneration of civilised values. The fragmentation of civil society and erosion of democratic institutions have led to corruption and abuse of power in the institutions of governance. These factors have combined to cause immense suffering, dislocation, poverty, unemployment, alienation and marginalisation to increasing numbers of people of all communities. Official statistics that boast of spectacular achievements in the position of women are belied by the life-denying monotony and strife experienced by millions of women in garment factories, plantation hill tops and parched fields and those left to waste in refugee camps. Tens of thousands of widows of violence provide further testimony to a decaying moral order. Archaic self-conceptions nurtured in exclusive interpretations of history reinforced by entrenched structures of patriarchy and male supremacy find expression in a monopoly over political power, influence and social privilege by hegemonic groups. These negative processes have combined to marginalize the poor and the vulnerable so that they have no power or capacity to compete in the market place of economics and politics within an equal playing field. These factors together stand as the primary obstacles to achieving peace, democracy, good governance and sustainable development.

Our Guiding Vision & Mission: Claiming The 21st Century For A Better World

We seek to contribute towards human liberation through building the self-conscious and self-reliant efforts of the people. We assist the people in breaking all divisions and barriers to forge the bonds of inter-community cooperation and communication. We assist the people to master the forces of science and technology together in order to rebuild the world on the foundations of dignity, solidarity, equality, and justice. The conscious struggle of the people shall give birth to a new humanity of infinite compassion and unbounded creativity in a new world order free of all forms of exploitation, domination and dependence. Here the equality between Woman and Man shall be the foundation and measure of a truly civilized culture. Our mission is to contribute towards initiating a sustained, bottom-up, gender-centered, people-based participatory process of social development. We shall strive to build a People's Constituency to implement a National Democratic Agenda for a United Democratic and Prosperous Sri Lanka in the context of the scientific and technological possibilities of the 21st Century:

Program Components:
A Unity of Complimentary Aspects. Peace, Coexistence and Community Building

Peace, coexistence and community building are taken as the leading elements in the program. Peaceful coexistence is a way of life, not simply the absence of conflict. It is a state of being in harmony with the social and natural universe. The struggle for peaceful coexistence is essentially a struggle for a new definition of human society where relations that bind people together voluntarily, relations of solidarity and cooperation, replace those that generate envy, hatred and selfishness. Peace is eminently a historical process of achieving a true humanity. The process of peace, coexistence and community building, understood philosophically, takes account of and strives to overcome the structures that generate inequality, injustice and violence through the collective efforts of the people. Therefore, peace building is at once a process of the most profound and radical transformation and democratization of the political, economic and social order.

The struggle for Democracy is complemented by and consolidated through Good Governance. Good governance is the institutional expression of a vibrant democracy. It is through the struggle for democratic reforms, for basic human and democratic rights, that people acquire the political will and consciousness and see the need to work together to achieve and preserve good governance. The precondition for good governance is a vibrant democratic political culture expressed through a corresponding institutional environment. Democracy and good governance is not possible without equality and justice. Equality and justice are defining values embedded in a path of sustainable social development. The basic issue we face in the question of achieving a sustainable path of development is that the Sri Lankan economy is externally driven, a condition which has resulted in a dependent and distorted socio-economy. This is primarily due to the inability to articulate an internally-driven, self-reliant, self-sufficient socio-economy, based on mobilising the people as the basic motive force of development.

Twin Tracks of an Integrated Process of Empowerment

Our program centers on a single basic concept: Empowerment: Empowerment is to be operationalised in two interrelated modes; 1) Transforming values, attitudes, conceptions and relations which we shall refer to as Cultural Development and, correspondingly 2) Institutional Development to provide enduring structural form for sustaining such Cultural Development.

Cultural development is to do with social consciousness and the content of social relations. First, we begin by motivating people to critically examine their own intellectual, psychological and ideological assumptions as well as the dominant premises of the prevailing social, economic and political order. This is a method of turning the soil. We look at the basic categories of Thought that shape our consciousness in a critical way. We analyse and locate the frame of reference within the prevailing dominant political system and culture as well as our own internalized mental categories that have contributed to generating social violence and civil conflict, to the undermining of democracy and good governance, along with the causes and consequences of dependent and distorted development that have led us towards the present crisis.
We examine the structures that generate exploitation and domination, inequality and injustice in human society.

Through this process we open the windows of a new definition of a political order that is free of these negative structures and to identify new values and new social relations that give expression to unity, solidarity, equality, justice and ultimately, human liberation. We look at our own and at international experiences gain insight into this historical project of building the universal foundations of a peaceful and democratic political order. When people are empowered and mobilised to interact in the articulation of a peaceful and democratic social order their inherent creativity is unleashed and they become conscious of their true capacity, role and responsibility as architects of history and human society and forge new bonds of solidarity. This becomes the dynamic basis and process for defining and sustaining a new political culture. This is the cultural expression of Empowerment

At the same time, we engage together in the process of identifying and building the social, political, economic and cultural institutions that will give enduring expression to these new values and relations: Institutions which will help the people to access the market place of economics and politics freely and equally so they may compete on an equal playing field to realise their interests and aspirations. This is the institutional expression of Empowerment. Through this two track approach we locate the people as the architects of history and of their society, this being the true essence of an integrated and scientific view of Empowerment: One that touches the hearts and minds of people and unites and motivates them to become responsible for defining the content and direction of their lives and of their world together.

Major Activities

1. Citizen-based constitutional reform initiatives to build consensus on basic constitutional principles based on power sharing at the center with parity of representation for all communities as a contribution to ending the civil conflict and achieving a democratic pluralist political order.

2. Peace Networking and Mobilising.

3. Coexistence Education and Training

4. Maintaining advanced data base on inter-state and internal conflict, conflict resolution, pluralist coexistence, human and democratic rights as a resource base for peace, coexistence, community building and human rights activists and researchers.

5. Base support structure for training a generation of trainers from among the educated youth to include all communities, social groups and women who shall disseminate the seeds of an enlightened democratic political culture and social order.

We seek to strengthen networks with similar organisations in Sri Lanka for pursuing these objectives. We strive to build up a regional South Asian Network of organisations with similar approach and focus and to work towards establishing a South Asian Regional Resource Center to support and sustain our collective efforts. We intend to expand and sustain this program through gaining and sharing experience each step of the way and reaching out to ever broader constituencies until the goal of a peaceful, united, independent and democratic Sri Lanka is achieved. The harvest will be a liberating culture and a pluralist democratic social order conceived, nurtured and nourished by the self-determined efforts of the people. With these accomplishments as the foundations we shall together strive to accomplish our mission to build a better Sri Lanka equal to the nations of the world and do our part to assist the people to Claim the 21st Century.

Supporting Organizations
   NORAD
   SIDA
   FES

Management
It has 14 full-time staff nine of whom are women. Its Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Executive Directress and Secretary are women.

Mr Ajith Rupasinghe - Consultant
Ms. Padmi Liyange - Executive Directress.

P.O. Box 66, Nugegoda
Tel.: 075-522415 or 077-788598
Fax.: 2856400
E-mail: prasanni@eureka.lk

1. History
   Rural Development Foundation (RDF) was inaugurated in the year 1984 by 14 members from the village of Periyamadhu in the administrative district of Mannar. RDF had its head quarters in its birth place of Periyamadhu itself.
   The main objective of forming this organization was to upgrade the living standards of the communities in areas of education, urgent relief assistance, economic development, social and cultural awareness and women's affairs.
   The operational areas consisted of Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullativu. But unfortunately, consequent to the ethnic conflict effecting the Muslims from the North in late 1990, a section of the target group and most of the members of the RDF were forcibly displaced and sought refugee in Puttalam district. Thereafter, as a result of this, the Puttalam district too is now included as a project implementation area.
   
   This voluntary service organization is registered with the Department of Social Services and also declared a "Charity" under the Inland Revenue Act by the Ministry of Finance. The Foundation is an affiliated organization with Central Council of Social Service, Sri Lanka and National NGO Council of Sri Lanka. It is a member of the Consortium Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) of Sri Lanka. In addition, it is an affiliated member of the NGO consortium in Mannar, Vavuniya and Puttalam Districts.
   
   

2. Structure
   There are 600 members and over 7000 project members in this Foundation. The backbone of the Foundation consists of 15 elected representatives functioning as members of the Executive Committee.
   
   

3. Vision
   A key facilitator ensuring improved standard of living for under privileged people in Northern Sri Lanka.
   
   

4. Mission
   An organization striving to address aspirations of under privileged in collaboration with other institutions which promote social mobility.
   
   

5. Facilities available with the organization
   1. Trained qualified and experienced personnel for planning, programming and
       implementation of activities
   2. A fully equipped Training and Resource Center
   3. Adequate transport facilities and wide acknowledgment by donors
       of effective implementation of proposed activities by the Foundation
   4. Effective financial management
   5. Grass root involvement through social mobilization of community based     organizations.
   
   The Rural Development Foundation has to carry out its rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes in Mannar, Vavuniya and Puttalam districts amidst conflicts between locals and the displaced, gender equity and conflict between different ethnic groups especially in Puttalam district. As a measure to overcome these constraints, the Foundation, with the assistance from the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka launched a campaign of conflict reconciliation by training 30 members of the Foundation for 10 days and this culminated as a training of trainers for the purpose. Later with the assistance
   of CIDA, with trainers so trained co-opted by AHIMSA, the Foundation conducted conflict resolution programmes with a view to enhance the capacity in peace oriented process and aptitude for counseling among:
   
   1. School children
   2. Community based organizations at village level
   3. Teachers
   4. Religious leaders
   
   The outcome was very encouraging. The constraints, faced by the Foundation in implementing rehabilitation programmes were reduced and the Foundation was able to launch separate conflict resolution and peace fostering programmes in Vavuniya, Mannar and Puttalam districts with the
   assistance of FES.
   
    
6. The Foundation's programmes assisted by FES included:
          ** Joint ethnic cultural plays
          ** Joint sharamadana campaigns
          ** Relief activities
          ** Training and counseling.
   
   People of all ethnic groups were afforded opportunity to mix, exchange their ideas, and reconcile conflicts which existed among them. The Foundation had taken yet another step in supporting the peace process at inter district level through a peace camp. UNICEF has indicated willingness to assist this programme.
   
   Thus the Foundation was able to bring children from Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala schools together in Vavuniya, Mannar and Puttalam districts through:
   
   1. Dialogue and discussion at group levels
   2. Cultural activities and street plays
   3. Social mingling and mutual understanding
   4. Relief activities by shramadana
   5. Poster competitions
   6. Dramas
   7. Sport activities - conducted in each district and finally with a central peace
       camp at Puttalam.
   
   The peace camp was patronized by school children, teachers, officers from Govt. Departments, service personnel, leading citizens, members of local authorities, members of non-governmental organizations and religious leaders from Mannar, Vavuniya and Puttalam districts. A peace march from Puttalam Town Hall along the streets of Puttalam town was held to spotlight the entire programme. This programme of fostering peace among school children brought to surface the problems faced by the different groups.
   
   

7. Supporting Organizations
   Peace building / Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation
   UNICEF
   Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).
   Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
   National Peace Council (NPC)
   
   Capacity Development and Development Activities
   
   

   UNHCR	UNICEF
   WFE	Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
   OXFAM	CARE

   FES

   
   
   

8. Activities
   Hard Sector - Providing of infrastructure facilities with donor assistance to promote health, education, community services, crop production, environmental protection, sanitation and water resource.
   Soft Sector - Providing of assistance for income generating activities through self employment, providing of training for such self employment and promotion of revolving loan fund scheme.
   
   

9. Executive Committee
   Given below is the policy making and decision taking body of the Organization:
   Mr. A.M. Faaiz - Chairman
   Mr. A.R.A. Ramees - Secretary
   Mr.N.M. Saroor - Treasurer and 12 other members
   
   

10. Director - Mr. A.C.M. Mahroof is the chief executive of Programmes in the organization
    
    

11. Programme Management Team (PMT)
    It consists of  7 members namely :
    Director Leader of the Team
    Project Coordinator  : Project Management
    Finance Coordinator : Finance Management
    Training Coordinator : Training Management
    District Coordinator  : Mannar Project implementation
    District Coordinator  : Vavuniya and supervision at the
    District Coordinator  : Puttalam district level
    
    All activities of RDF are being implemented under the guidance of the PMT through their staff.
    
    

12. Addresses:-
    
    Rural Development Foundation
    Colombo Road, Palavi - Sri Lanka, Tel./Fax.: 032-2269022/3
    E-mail: rdf-ptm@pan.lk
    
    Training and Resource Centre
    Rural Development Foundation, Kandy Road, Thekkawatta.
    Vavuniya. Sri Lanka. Tel/ Fax: 024-2222962
    E-mail: rdftrc@slt.lk
    
    Vavuniya District Office
    Rural Development Foundation, Kurumankdu,
    Vavuniya. Sri Lanka. Tel/ Fax: 024-2222671
    E-mail: rdf-vav@slt.lk
    
    Mannar District
    Rural Development Foundation,
    Mannar. Sri Lanka. Tel/ Fax: 023-2232375
    E-mail: rdf-man@slt.lk
    
    Puttalam District
    Rural Development Foundation. Colombo Road,
    Palavi. Sri Lanka.Tel/ Fax: 032-2269024
    E-mail: rdf-ptm@pan

The end of the Cold War or what it accompanied in the form of globalization has not automatically created a new era of global democracy or global prosperity as anticipated by some at the beginning of the 1990s. The world entered the new millennium with the perennial problems of poverty, underdevelopment, ethnic conflict and new threats to democracy. The struggle for democracy and development is indeed a long-term task that has to be undertaken in a holistic manner, patiently and consistently.

Sri Lanka has continued to witness some of the deep-seated tribulations of its society particularly in respect of ethnic harmony, human rights. democracy, good governance and economic development. despite all hopes and expectations, liberalization and integration with the globalization process have failed to launch the country into sustainable socio-economic development. The current context of world economic downturn makes the prospects for economic development in the country even more problematic. Changing the trends for positive direction requires concerted efforts with regional and international cooperation.

The prevailing constitution and the electoral system combined with the existing political party system of government, operating under conditions of economic underdevelopment and various social divisions, have continued to create deep seated problems in the Sri Lankan society and polity. Continuous constitutional and other crises are likely to mar the socio-political landscape in the time to come.

After several failed initiatives in the past for a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict, the society after the 2001 parliamentary elections is yet again at a situation of optimism. The need for gradual and systematic strengthening of democracy, devolution, human rights and development at the level of the state as well as civil society cannot be overemphasized if a lasting solution to this problem is to be achieved. What is most evident is the link between democracy and development.

Struggle for democracy and development requires renewed and multifaceted efforts. It is in the above context a group of likeminded persons formed the Centre for Democracy Development (CDD) in December 2001.

Vision

The vision of the CDD is to work towards strengthening democracy, ethnic harmony, peace, good governance, human rights and economic development through understanding the barriers to their achievement and viable public policies and practices and raising public awareness about such policy alternatives.

Mission

CDD will undertake policy-oriented public discussions, research, publication, education, training and policy lobbying to achieve its vision with particular emphasis on program, areas like the following:

• Human Rights

• Conflict Resolution and Ethnic Harmony

• Economic and Social Development

• Constitutional Reform

• Democracy and Good Governance

CDD plans to publish a trilingual bulletin, as a forum for dissemination of its work, public discussion and debate. The title of the bulletin as envisages currently is Democracy and Development.

In all its programs and activities, the CDD will place special emphasis on addressing the issues of women, youth and vulnerable sections of society.

Organization

CDD is a registered association with a Board of Management to decide on policy and to supervise its finances. Office bearers of the CDD are Chairperson, Director and Treasurer. It will receive donations from national and international sources. All its accounts will be audited annually by a reputed firm of auditors and will be made available for public scrutiny. CDD will hire required staff to run its office/s and implement its programms and activities. CDD will invite and enroll like-minded persons agreeing with the CDD mission and objectives from among academics, professionals and social activists as its members.

Board of Management

Chairperson - Professor W. D. Lakshman
Director        - Dr. Laksiri Fernando

Address:
 No. 33/9, Rendapola Road,
 Koswatta, Thalangama North,
 Sri Lanka.
 Tel.: (94 1) 2788 523
 E-mail: laksiri@itcom.lk

History
Lanka Agriculturists Association (LAA) was inaugurated in the year of 1978 by 21 members from plantation and rural areas in Nuwara Eliya to enlighten the plantation community and rural sectors to integrate to help both sectors farmers (vegetable growers, cattle farmers to get their right in getting vegetable seeds, potato seeds, bank loans and the other facilities in plantation and rural peasant farmers who are cultivating on lease basis with the support of IFPAAW (International Federation of Plantation and Agriculture and Allied Workers) and CWC.

After a long struggle the organization has been able to prove it's credibility and gain recognition while providing Agro-Identity Cards for Plantation / rural farmers who are cultivating lands on lease or tenancy and got State facilities.

LAA registered under the Trade Union Ordinance, but, we have to act as Co-op, method and trade union methods to fulfill the requirements of the farmers in plantation / rural areas in Nuwara Eliya district.

LAA's Main Development Goal
To enhance socio-economic achievements and a better living condition with education and skill advancement human dignity and collective responsibility for plantation / rural working communities.

The Main Objectives of LAA

• Strengthening unity among plantation / rural farmers

• Uplifting the socio-economic and cultural standards among plantation / rural peasants.

• To non-partisan in all social, racial, political, ethnic and religious matters.

• To undertake agricultural, horticultural and other ventures, including encouragement, extension, regulation and management of farms and cultivation, which would help the country to attain self-sufficiency in food, vegetable, milk and meat and other cereal.

• To aid help and promote co-operative activity in order to secure for the rural farmers facilities. Such as credit, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs as well as arranging for ware-housing and transport facilities and assist the farmer to market their goods

• To promote and start village based industries or individual projects to provide employment to the under-employment and unemployed.

• To create awareness among the youth about importancy of women participants
  in social activities.

Our Involvement / Achievements
· LAA assisted in issuing Agro Identity Cards to vegetable growers, and by doing so their names were registered as Farmers by the Government in their Agrarian Services Departments and provided necessary facilities, this was a great achievement for LAA.

· By getting these identity cards they were able to open A.S.C accounts in the Bank to obtain lower interest loans (earlier only the land owners who were having Deeds were able to obtain loans).

· LAA assisted in getting electricity supply to the workers, and the workers on a Co-op basis by LAA paid the cost for the transformer and all other payments, it proposed and implemented for 18 estates. (Now the Government is providing such facilities).

· LAA officials assist workers by visiting plantation estates and providing services and advise to the necessary workers

Mission
To be the voice of the workers and create awareness, promote and uplift the well - being of the rural. The plantation farmers through initiating and developing socio economic activities for sustainable development, through an innovative and participatory approach in order to achieve and enhance standards, empowerment human dignity, ethnic, harmony equality and peace.

On going programmes:

• Revolving loans for women for cattle farming

• Income generating loans for self employment

Workshops/Seminars/Trainings

• Occupational Safety and Health

• Gender Sensitization

• Community Development

• Worker's Right

• Women's Right

• Need of Trade Union

Future Programmes

• Gender Programmes

• Social integrating programmes

• Awareness creation programmes

• Skills Training

General Problems

• Living Conditions

• Security issues

• General working conditions

• Family welfare

• To make awareness among the workers need of labour management partnership

• Lack of democracy in plantation trade unions

• Lack of participation by the members in trade unions

• Lack of faith among the workers about the trade unions
  

Supporting Organizations:|

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
General Secretary : D. Mathavan

 Address:
  Office: No. 70, Cargills Ground, Nuwara Eliya.
  Tel:  052 - 2234274, 052 - 2222081
  Fax: 052 - 2222274

History
In August 1980, a strike was led by the politically affiliated trade unions. The massive victimization of the strikers by the administration resulted in weakening the trade union movement in the country. The democratic and independent trade unions in the public sector realized the need to revitalize the trade union movement. Seven public sector independent trade unions affiliated in July 1981 and formed COPSITU. The need of the hour was to establish a strong non political independent trade union movement. Public Sector independent trade unions were quick to realize the value and affiliation to the COPSITU got under way.

 Aims and Objectives
To establish a National Trade Union Center, for the promotion, growth and development of free independent and Democratic Trade Unions in Sri Lanka.

To provide a forum to promote a progressive Democratic Socialist society without discrimination on grounds of language religion or race.

To promote and encourage the development of the system of collective bargaining in the public sector with a view to protect, promote and further the interests of the public servants in respect of their condition of employment, remuneration, privileges and promotional prospects with a view to maintain a sound, stable sustained and healthy industrial atmosphere in the public service.

To carry out worker's education programmes with a view to instill a sense of responsibility among the workers and thereby establish better employer employee relationship.

To promote such other measures as may be necessary for the achievement of the aforesaid aims and objects.

 Membership
Any public sector trade union desirous of affiliation, comes in as an observer. Once the bona fides are established, the union should apply for affiliation. They should submit the following documents.

1. Resolution adopted at an Annual General Meeting approving affiliation.
2. Copy of the Constitution
3. Latest annual report and accounts approved at the general meeting
4. List of office bearers
5. On approval by the Council of Management of COPSITU, the union is enrolled as a
   member.

 Structure

1. Supreme body is the Annual Conference of Delegates of member unions and three
    members from each branch union.

2. The Executive Council - The office bearers are elected at the Annual Conference of     Delegates. Each member union nominates a representative to the Committee of the
    Executive Council. Monthly Meetings of the council are held.
3. The Executive Council elects the Director of Studies and the Director of Research.

 Activities

1.   Conduct educational seminars and workshops at national and branch levels. Publish
      a journal, distributed free to member unions.
2.   Research - Family budget and cost of living studies to be presented to Salaries and       Cadre Commissions. These reports have been acknowledged by three Commissions as
      invaluable in deciding criteria for restructuring of salaries.
3.   Research papers of Occupational Health & Hygiene.
4.   Working conditions of female employees in the health sector.
5.   Monitoring the occupational safety and health of election duty staff at divisional,       provincial, general and presidential elections.
6.   Representing issues of common interest to all workers in general and public servants in       particular.
7.   Individual problems of any member union.
8.   Motivate and equip members to take up leadership roles.
9.   Promote participation of women and youth in trade union activities.
10. Originated the implementation of the professions supplementary to medicine.
11. Originated the implementation of the Technological Service Minute.
12. Represent the Public Service at the National Labour Advisory Committee.
13. Represent COPSITU at the ILO - Trade Union Planning meetings.
14. Bring together all public sector trade unions to pressurize the Government to implement
      the Independent Public Service Commission.
15. Represent COPSITU at the Consultative Committee in the Ministry of Public       Administration.

 Supporting Organizations

 1. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
 2. American Centre for Labour Solidarity
 3. International Labour Organization

 Chief Office Bearers

• President - S. Ratnapriya, Welikadamulla, Balapitiya, Sri Lanka
  Tel: 09 - 2258108

• Hony. General Secretary - A. Jayaratne, Opposite Maha Vidyalaya
  Galmuruwa, Sri Lanka - Tel: 032 -22 40694

• Hony. Treasurer - Mahendra Wijetileka, No. 3, Manthri Place, Colombo 5.
  Sri Lanka - Tel: 2500718

• Director of Studies - K.S. Karunaratne, No. 7, Circular Road, Mount Lavinia,
  Sri Lanka - Tel: 2714111

• Director of Research - Miss. Kusum Vithana, No. 206, Wewelduwa, Kelaniya,
  Sri Lanka - Tel: 2913805

Email: copsitu@sltnet.lk

OFFICE OF THE COPSITU - Opposite Maha Vidyalaya, Galmuruwa, Sri Lanka.

• To create a society in which disadvantaged people belonging to different ethnic groups can live in peace and harmony while preserving their Ethnic identify

• To undertake Surveys, research and studies to fully appraise the existing situation.
• To create awareness among farmers, workers, youth and women in both rural and estate sectors and organize them to enable them to safeguard their rights and interests.
• To identify the language, religion and culture of the target group and assist them to preserve and sustain same.
• To identify the causes leading to disruption of peaceful life and take appropriate measures to eliminate same.
• To eliminate distrust factions and divisions in civil society and bring about a change of
    attitudes and beliefs.
• To work towards the creation of a better society in cooperation with a net-work of
  organizations.

• Collect and update data relating to social, cultural and environment situation of people living in this district.
• Set up a separate organization to agitate for women's rights.
• Work for lasting peace among different ethnic groups with children playing a major role.
• Communities to be encouraged to collect and preserve information on literature and fine arts and create interest in literary pursuits.
• Develop the status of agricultural workers and preserve environmental system.
• Work for rehabilitation of disabled youth.
• Help estate communities to regain their lost rights on account of ethnic conflict.
• Create awareness communities relating to social economic and ethnic matters in the
  community and prepare them to face problems successfully.
• To work with the community to minimize environmental damage.
• To create awareness and assist communities to achieve economic freedom.
• Strengthen organizations that stand for the rights of the people.
• Setup organizational net work to enhance bargaining power.

The Public Service United Nurses Union (PSUNU) was established on 5th November 1969 by 13 members of the Public Sector Nurses and is registered with the Trade Union Registrar of the Department of Labour under the Trade Union Ordinance.

The President of the PSUNU is a Buddhist Monk, elected to office unanimously by the members at its inaugural meeting in 1969, under the provisions of the Trade Union Ordinance, which provides legal entitlement to any Public Sector Trade Union to elect 2 outsiders as its members, out of which one should hold the office of President or Secretary of that Union.

    At