SEVANATHA Urban Resource Centre has been recognized as an active partner of PET Plastic collection process in Sri Lanka and awarded by the Eco Spindles (Pvt) Ltd, in appreciation of our efforts in PET Plastic Collection and working towards a cleaner and greener Sri Lanka.

This award was presented at their “Waste 2 Value” App launching event which was held at Hilton Colombo Residences, on Global Recycling Day; 18th March 2021. Mr. K. A. Jayaratne, President of SEVANATHA has received the award on behalf of the organization.

Through the launch of “Waste 2 Value” App it is expected to encourage responsible plastic recycling among the public and further consolidate the recyclable waste collection initiatives within the country. The “Waste 2 Value” App is now available on Google Play Store for Android and App Store for iOS. Those who are interested on this App can download it and contribute to a cleaner environment as a responsible individual.

As part of the collaborative partnership between SEVANATHA and Bartlett Development Planning Unit of University College, London, SEVANATHA has facilitated the DPU’s Urban Development Planning students’ field Practice Program from 30th April 2018 to 10th May 2018 in Colombo.
The team comprised of 35 students and 04 teaching staff of UDP representing from 23 different countries bringing diverse perspective to the field Practice Program. This program was supported by 12 young graduates (Field Facilitators) who were recruited and trained by SEVANATHA who engaged with the M.Sc. student’s field data collection works and preparation of presentation materials. These field facilitators were chosen from the University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, Kelaniya University and the National School of Social Development, Sri Lanka.
The theme of the field practice was “Housing Rights and Social Justice in settlement upgrading and relocation process in the City of Colombo”. The students had engaged in their field research work in three selected communities in the City of Colombo ie: Lakmuthu Sevana Resettlement Scheme, Mayura Place, Colombo 06, Muwadora Uyana Resettlement Scheme in Modara, Colombo 14 and Nawagampura upgraded settlement in Grandpas, Colombo 14.
The students also had an opportunity to have a meeting with the Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and discussed about the urban regeneration project implemented in the City of Colombo by the UDA.
The program also included a multi-stakeholder workshop and panel discussion held on 04th May 2018 in the Department of Town and Country Planning, University of Moratuwa. Some of the well-known Sri Lankan experts in the housing sector had participated at this stakeholder meeting.
At the end of the field program the three groups of students made their final presentation to a panel of housing and urban development experts invited for the above purpose on 10th May 2018 at Hotel Renuka, Colombo 03. This presentation was organized as a full day event.
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As a part of the collaborative partnership between SEVANATHA and Bartlett Development Planning Unit of University College, London, SEVANATHA has agreed to offer an internship training program for Ms. Ruchika Lall, a graduate of the MSc Program in Building and Urban Design for Development, at the DPU. This internship program is also supported by ACHR-CAN, with a focus of building collective learnings on linking people-driven solutions to institutional frameworks between young development professionals and regional organisations.

Ruchika engages in field research work in urban poor communities in the City of Colombo, from 5th February 2018 to 5th August 2018. She will also facilitate DPU’s Urban Development Planning students’ field visit of 2018, which will take place in early May 2018. The students are planning to engage in their field research work in three communities in the City of Colombo ie: Mayura Place Resettlement Scheme in Wellawatta, Muwadora Uyana Resettlement Scheme in Modara and Nawagampura upgraded settlement in Grandpas. For this purpose Ruchika will be engaged in both community work, as well as meeting with Government institutions and Universities.

Ruchika will also be engaged in the ongoing Municipal Waste Recycling Program, which is a USAID funded project implemented by SEVANATHA, in partnership with Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municpal Council in the DMMC area.

In order to contribute to regional cross learning and knowledge platforms, at the end of the six months, Ruchika will document her experience in a collaborative, open source report – sharing learnings and scaling up practices between ACHR partners and SEVANATHA Urban Resource Centre in Sri Lanka and Women for the World, in Yangon..

MWRP Field Visit

SEVANATHA started its work of the year 2017 with a charming celebration giving prominence to religious observance followed by enjoying traditional Milk Rice and Sweets. President of SEVANATHA, Mr. K.A. Jayaratne said that SEVANATHA is embracing the year 2017 with a lot of strength and confidence as his team has more young professionals than ever before. He said he is optimistic about handling challenging projects in the New Year. The Executive Director, Mr. H.M.U. Chularathna emphasized on the spirit of Team Work and enhancement of professional qualities and experiences of each individual of SEVANATHA in his/her work in the New Year. SEVANATHA is taking this opportunity to appreciate the contributions of its donors, supporters and partner organizations so far and to pass them all New Year greetings. SEVANATHA’s commitment to help the needy families and communities will remain a top priority on its work in the year 2017 too.

President and the Team of SEVANATHA .

The final Consultation Workshop on ‘Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) for the Waste Management Sector in Sri Lanka: Opportunities for Linking the PILISARU Program with International Climate Financing’ was held on 30th August 2016 at Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla, Colombo from 9.00 a.m to 2.30 p.m. This workshop was jointly organized by the Central Environmental Authority under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and SEVANATHA Urban Resource Centre and it was funded by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

The main objective of this workshop was to present the findings of a study that was undertaken to assess the potentials of developing a NAMA for the waste sector to link with the PILISARU Solid Waste Management Program. This study was initiated in the mid of 2015 as a result of the initial consultation workshop held on 30th April 2015. The final consultation workshop created a platform for the practitioners, scholars, and professionals working in the field of waste management to have a dialogue on similar initiatives and on the findings of this study and to share their views on the way forward.

Around 45 participants attended this workshop including officials from Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, representatives from the Central Environment Authority, Climate Change Secretariat, Solid Waste Management Authority, National Solid Waste Management Support Centre, National Climate Fund, UNDP, Academia from related fields and several other participants from Sri Lanka. The main highlights of the workshop were the presentation on the findings of the NAMA study, the technical session at which 5 presentations were made on the recent developments on Sri Lanka’s solid waste management and climate change initiatives in other sectors enabling learning from each other’s experiences.

Heavy rainfall started since 14th May, 2016 continued till 22nd May across the country causing floods and landslides in many parts of Sri Lanka. According to the Metrology Department, 19 out of 25 districts were severely affected. Most severely affected districts are Colombo, Gampaha and Kegalle located in the Western part of Sri Lanka.

According to the latest estimate by the country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) over four hundred thousand people are displaced from their homes and living in transit accommodations including schools, temples and emergency camps. It was reported in media that over 500 houses were completely destroyed and 4,005 houses partially damaged.

The majority of flood-affected people are in Colombo and Gampaha districts. As a result of heavy rains, several major reservoirs overflowed and floodgates were opened to avoid a dam breach, causing flooding downstream. Areas downstream of two large rivers to the north and south of the capital city Colombo, the Kelani and the Kalu Ganga, remain flooded with the possibility of further floodwaters flowing from upstream areas should heavy rains persist.

Out of 47 Municipal Wards in Colombo Municipal area, 17 wards were badly affected by the flood these include; Mattakkuliya, Lunupokuna, Mahawatta, Blumenthal, Maligawaththa, Grandpass North, Grandpass South, Dematagoda, Wanathamulla, Borella North, Borella South, Suduwella, Panchikawaththa, Maradana, Kirula, Narahenpita and Wellawatta wards.

SEVANATHA in collaboration with Colombo Municipal Council and Common Wealth Foundation and Reall in UK, currently implement a project in selected low income settlements in the City of Colombo to improve basic infrastructure in these communities. Among the 80 settlements, 18 settlements shown in the map were severely affected by the flood, they are namely: 241 settlement in Borella, 93/97 settlement inMattakkuliya, 859 settlement in Mahawaththa, 75, Fugusion Road, Mahawatta, 637 settlement in AluthMawatha, 802/146 in Blumenthal, 94 Walls Lane, 64/43, Maradana, 21/R, Narahenpita, 300, 300/T, 300/8 settlements in Kirula, 124 settlement in Mahawatta, 211,169,151 settlements in Nagalagam Street and 63 settlement inWellawatta.



SEVANATHA has already established links with Community Development Council leaders in affected settlements for providing required assistance. Most families in these settlements suffered due to losing their daily income and their household items. The communities are expecting assistance to recover their livelihoods and improve their houses. Most urgently needed items for the affected families are: household furniture, kitchen utensils and cloths. And also the school going children have lost their school uniforms, books, and other stationeries and they are expecting support and assistance to recover from this situation.

SEVANATHA is currently engaging in a dialog with affected communities and the relevant stakeholders to engage in a long-term program for rebuilding communities and assisting them with housing and livelihoods.

We look forward to join hands with those organizations who wish to be part of this effort. For more details please contact; jaya_kananke@yahoo.com or sevanata@sltnet.lk

A project on improvement on Artistic Skills of 40 children in underserved communities in two wards in Colombo Municipal Council was implemented, by SEVANATHA with support provided by The CITYNET Regional office based in seoul, Korea from May 2015 to March 2016. This project was coordinated by National Chapter of CITYNET, Sri Lanka.

These children had an opportunity to engage in Art, Music and Drama training to enhance their talents on artistic skills. Lectures attached to University of Fine Arts in Colombo joined the project as resource persons to train the children.

SEVANATHA in collaboration with the CITYNET National Chapter has organized the final presentation event of the children on 22nd March, 2016 to mark the completion of the project. The Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Eng. Thamara Mallawarachchi of Colombo Municipal Council, Local resource Persons, The Principal of the Sri Sangharaja Vidyalaya, President of SEVANATHA and the parents participated in the final event. Most of invitees requested to replicate this project in similar low income settlements in the City of Colombo to generate wider impact and better social interaction among the children and ethnically mixed communities of the City of Colombo.

SEVANATHA’s engagement in urban poor communities in Colombo and other cities in Sri Lanka has resulted in bringing out a numerous novel ideas and practices. SEVANATHA’s ground level experiences which accumulated since its inception enabled to produce fruitful documents for the interested parties.
Preparation a profile of underserved settlements (USSs) for city of Colombo is one of the major outputs of a Four (04) year project titled ‘Building the skills and Capacity of Colombo’s urban poor to lobby and work with government to improve their living conditions’, supported by the UK Government, and Executed by Homeless International (HI) currently known as Reall, a UK based Non Government Organization (NGO). SEVANATHA URC being the Local Partner organization in this project has implemented the collaboration with Colombo Municipal Council and Sri Lanka Women’s Service Development Cooperative Society (Women’s Coop).
The profile of Under Served Settlements-2012 published, presents the data and information of the all USSs located within the administrative area of Colombo Municipal Council based on a City Wide Survey carried out jointly by SEVANATHA, Colombo Municipal Council and Women’s Coop in 2011/2012. The USSs survey was conducted by using 20 parameters related to physical, economical, social and institutional aspects of USSs and related them according to the level of overall improvement achieved.
Accordingly 04 categories of USSs were identified i.e. fully upgraded, upgraded, underserved and extremely poor. Distribution of these USS within the city based on Municipal wards and districts are presented. So that a reader can get a better idea of their condition/status and distribution according the wards. It is a useful document which can be used for developing strategies and actions for any interventions for the benefits of the USSs communities in Colombo. For further information please contact Ms.Priyanka, Acting Project Manager, SEVANATHA via +94112 879710 or +94112884070.

The Community Livelihood Action Facility Network (CLAFNet) coordinated by SEVANATHA is implementing Environmental Friendly Low Cost Housing program collaboration with Women’s Coop under the technical advice from a reputed Architect Chatsiri Thanmaron from Thailand.
CLAFNET with Women’s Coop Branch in Kajuduwa, has already started a factory for making compressed soil cement bricks. It has already built a model house in Kajuduwa. Mr. Chatsiri has advised both CLAFNET and Women’s Coop to expand this experience to meet the housing demand of the area. He has trained the field staff of CLAFNet and designed houses with community participation of Women’s Coop members.
Benefits of the approach are;
 This technology needs less sand for construction
 Promote Environmentally friendly green architectures
 Construction cost can be reduced by 15%-50%
 Create employment for local people .

Ratnapura city is one Municipal area where the Local Government Authority in partnership with the UNESCAP and SEVANATHA URC/ Micro Enrich Compost (Pvt.) Ltd has started an Integrated Resource Recovery Centre (IRRC) project to manage the city’s solid waste problem in a more strategic manner.
In addition to the Solid Waste management, the disposal of night soil also a crucial problem in Ratnapura as there is no proper mechanism. In this context, SEVANATHA/ MEC (Pvt.) Ltd has arranged a three member delegations to visit and study on night soil Management and Bio-fertilizer Plant in Nonthaburi City in Thailand during June 15 to 18, 2015. The team was headed by Mr. K.A.Jayaratne, President of SEVANATHA with other two members, Mr. Ranjith Samarasinghe, Vice President of SEVANATHA, Mr.G.D.S.D.Gunawardhana, Engineer and Board Member of MEC. The main objective of the visit was to get first-hand experience of Night Soil management and making bio fertilizer in small and medium size cities.
The Bio-fertilizer plant processes human waste residues from household septic tanks and produce organic fertilizer. The treatment process adopted in Nonthaburi is based on using a bio-tank for anaerobic digestion of the sewage sludge leaving it for a period of one day. The reactor is then sealed and left for 28 days before the slurry is drained from the reactor to the sand beds. The remaining slurry on the sand beds is left to dry in the sun and is later used as solid fertilizer while the effluent filtered through the sand layer will be used as liquid fertilizer.
With this international exchange visits, SEVANATHA and Micro Enrich Compost (Pvt.) Ltd is looking for providing a better service to Ratnapura to manage its waste in a sustainable manner with further expectation for replicating new technology in to other Urban areas in Sri Lanka.
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The Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and SEVANATHA Urban Resource Centre, the National Partner made arrangements to hold the Initial Consultation Workshop on ‘Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) for the Waste Management Sector in Sri Lanka: Opportunities for Linking the Solid Waste Management Sector with International Climate Financing’ on 30th April 2015 at Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla, Colombo from 9.00 a.m to 4.30p.m.

This workshop was intended to lay a strong foundation for carrying out a subsequent assessment study on opportunities for linking Solid Waste Management Sector with NAMAs program of Sri Lanka.

The overall aim of this workshop was to review existing initiatives in Sri Lanka on climate change mitigation and discussing opportunities for linking Phase II of the PILISARU program (National SWM Program implemented by CEA) to a NAMA and/or any other relevant climate financing mechanisms.

Around 35 participants attended this workshop, including the Ministry Officials, representatives from the Central Environment Authority, National Carbon Fund, Solid Waste Management Authority of Western Province, SWM Support Centre of the Ministry of Local Government, UNDP, UN Habitat, University staff, Climate Change Secretariat and several other participants from Sri Lanka.

The UNESCAP Experts with the CEA officials have moderated the workshop in which 08 presentations were made by the invited resource persons during the morning and afternoon sessions of the workshop. It has came up with recommendations for appropriate follow up actions to achieve the aim of the workshop. Highlights of the workshop are shown below.

The President and Executive Committee of SEVANATHA wish to send their greetings to Mr.H.M.U.Chularathna, Executive Director of SEVANATHA for his selection to the position of Secretary of the Council of Institute of Town Planners, Sri Lanka (ITPSL) for the session 2015/2016. He was elected unanimously at the Annual General Meeting of the ITPSL held on 28th March,2015.

The ITPSL was formed based on the provisions of the Institute of Town Planners, Sri Lanka (In cooperation) Act No.23 of 1986 by the Parliament of Sri Lanka. The mission of the Institute is “to Develop and Promote Professionalism in the sphere of Town Planning and to keep the profession updated in keeping pace with international trends in an ever evolving Global Environment”. The new ITPSL Council consist of 17 members who are fully qualified planners working in the Government sector, Universities and research/consultancy organizations in Sri Lanka.

Mr.Chularathna who has gained considerable experiences in working in government institutions and in NGO sector and having contacts with development partners in the Asia Pacific region would no doubt contribute to the enhancement of the Town Planning Profession in Sri Lanka through his engagement in the ITPSL Council. SEVANATHA considers this as a unique opportunity for strengthening its linkages further with ITPSL and the planning profession in Sri Lanka as well as in the region.

A team of 18 Students and 02 Teachers of Colchester Sixth Form College in UK had Visited SEVANATHA on 13th February, 2015. The purpose of this visit was to get an exposure to community related work carried out by NGOs and other CSOs. The first session was to explain the students about SEVANATHA, its innovations and to present currently implementing projects. Mr.Jayaratne, President of SEVANATHA made a presentation to the students.

Subsequently, the students and teachers were given an opportunity to visit two (02) community upgrading projects in the City of Colombo implemented by SEVANATHA in partnership with Colombo Municipal Council and the Women’s Coop of Sri Lanka. These community Projects were implemented under the UK Aids assisted, Reall,UK executed Community Empowerment Project in Colombo. The students had opportunity to learn how poor communities, particularly women given the leadership in planning, implementation and maintenances of Community infrastructure such as common toilets, common water taps, a community center, storm water and drainage in communities.

Following photographs highlights the students visit program to SEVANATHA.

On a competitive bidding process, SEVANATHA Urban Resource Centre (SEVANATHA), Sri Lanka, was selected by the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project (MCUDP) to carry out the above mentioned Social Safeguard review study covering the sub project implemented by the MCUDP. This consultancy assignment was carried out during July to November 2014 by team of Social Specialist of SEVANATHA.

The MCUDP comprises of 03 main components. 1st component focuses on flood and drainage management and addresses the urgent issues of urban flooding, which regularly paralyses the economy of the Metro Colombo Region with high socio-economic costs. 2nd component focuses on urban development and infrastructure rehabilitation in 04 Project Local Authorities (PLAs): i.e. Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Dehiwala – Mount Lavinia Municipal Council (DMLMC), Sri Jayawardanepura – Kotte Municipal Council (SJ-KMC) and Kolonnawa Urban Council (KUC). 3rd component is aimed at supporting these local authorities to rehabilitate and manage their drainage infrastructure and urban roads, implement selected demonstration urban improvement investment, and improve solid waste collection. It also includes targeted technical assistance for institutional strengthening and capacity building of Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) and PLAs.

The main objective of the assignment is to carry out an Independent Review and Assessment of implementation of social safeguard measures in the MCUDP activities to determine whether intended goals are being achieved, and if not, what corrective measures are needed.

The Review Report submitted to MCUDP by SEVANATHA, was reviewed by a specialist of World Bank office in Colombo in cooperating the comments of the WB specialists to the final report. It was well accepted by the MCUDP/WB.

The objectives of this workshop was to share the experiences and lessons learned among the partners and stakeholders of participating countries in implementation of the “Waste to Resource” approach and in particular the adoption of Integrated Resource Recovery Centre (IRRC) Model. The workshop was also aimed that discussing the challenges and opportunities to scale up “Waste to Resource” approach in developing countries in the Asia- Pacific region and to propose recommendations to overcome the current and future challenges. This regional workshop was jointly organized by Environment and Development in Action (ENDA) Viet Nam and the Association of Cities of Viet Nam (ACVN). The workshop had 04 days of technical sessions including 03 field visits to Waste Management project sites in Quy Nhon city.

Since 2007 the UNESCAP in collaboration with Waster Concern Consultants, Dhaka, Bangladesh has been promoting the IRRC model in the Asia Pacific Region in line with the 3R Principles. The UNESCAP has provided financial support to start pilot projects with the capacity to process 02 to 10 tons of Municipal Solid Waste per day in cities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam and in Pakistan. This regional Workshop has therefore provided an excellent opportunity for the participants to learn from each other’s experiences.

Over 70 participants have participated in this regional workshop representing countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, USA and Viet Nam. The participants included the National and Provincial Government Officials, Mayors, Councilors and officials of City Councils, representatives of National Partner Institutions (NGOs) and Community Leaders.

The Sri Lankan team consisted of District Secretary of Matale, Director General of Central Environment Authority (CEA), Additional Secretary (Technical) Ministry of Water Supply & Drainage (Former Director of National Solid Waste Management Support Center of My.LG&PC) two Council Members of Matale Municipal Council, Chief Medical Officer of Health and Management Assistant of Ratnapura Municipal Council, President and Executive Director of SEVANATHA and Chief Executive Officer of Micro Enrich Compost (Pvt)Ltd.

SEVANATHA and Micro Enrich Compost (Pvt) Ltd have made presentations about their experiences and challenges in implementation of IRRC Project in Matale and Ratnapura cities, where it operates 09 tons and 05 tons per day capacity IRRCs in these two cities. For SEVANATHA and MEC (Pvt) Ltd this regional workshop provided a unique opportunity to improve linkages with its own Local Partners as well as regional partners. SEVANATHA and MEC are working hard to scale up the IRRCs in the two project cities and to expand this model to other potential secondary cities and small towns in Sri Lanka.

In this endeavor, SEVANATHA wishes to invite those interested donors and supporters to join hands with SEVANATHA in order to provide required financial and technical support cities to manage their solid waste in environmentally and economically sustainable manner by popularizing the IRRC model.

Presentations made by Sri Lankan team are available bellow….

01. Financing and Operating Decentralized and Community-Based 3R Initiatives: Economic Incentives and Partnership Models by Mr.K.A.Jayaratne, The President; SEVANATHA

02. Changing Behaviors: Education, advocacy and incentives for community participation in solid waste management IRRC Project Experience Sri Lanka by Mr.Chularathna, Executive Director, SEVANATHA

03. Overview and Implementation Status of the IRRCs Project in Matale Municipal Council, Sri Lanka; Mr.U.G.Ekanayaka,Chief Executive Officer, Micro Enrich Compost (Pvt) Ltd

Sri Lankan Presentations highlighted the achievements of the IRRC model as practiced in Matale and Ratnapura cities being a sustainable approach to address issues of Waste Management in secondary cities and small towns in Sri Lanka.

The Training on ‘Increasing the city’s competitiveness and quality of life by designing, planning and developing sustainable future cities’ was sponsored by UN HABITAT and hosted by the Gangwon Provincial Government, Republic of Korea. It was held from 19th to 26th, August, 2014 in International Urban Training Centre (IUTC), in Korea.

The main objectives of this training workshop was to provide a knowledge on the basic planning methods and tools, to effectively design and plan environmentally and economically sustainable cities in response to climate change.

The training course has helped in enhancing the participants’ understanding about the concept, principles and new paradigms of the Eco-City and exposed them to the different approaches that have been adopted by cities and national governments to create green cities that can cope with climate change effects faced by the cities in developing countries.

The training course provided the participants with a unique opportunity to broaden their knowledge and insights about their own creative cities through group exercise and presentation on practical city planning so that they can make linkage to a follow-up activity after the completion of the course.

The training course has conducted in a practical and problem solving manner. It comprised of lectures, theoretical background on the key concepts and principles of Eco-city and sustainable development, and planning process of an eco-city, circulation, diversity, self-reliance, and stability in structural and functional aspects of a city & designing the cities.

The participant of SEVANATHA Ms.Nilanka Madushani, Project Officer who is attached to the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council (NMC) under the CLAFNet program which is jointly implemented by SEVANATHA and NMC, has appreciated this being a unique opportunity provided by the UN Habitat and the Gangwon Provincial Government of Republic of Korea. Ms.Madushani also wishes to express her appreciation to the Hon.Mayor of Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council for nominating her for this training course. SEVANATHA being the Employer of Ms.Nilanka wish to express its sincere gratitude to the sponsor as well as the Gangwon Provincial Government who have jointly organize this very useful training program for young planners and Engineers.

Under the currently implemented Community Empowerment Project, financially supported by the UK Aid through Homeless International (HI) has achieved a number of targeted outputs within its time frame. This project is implemented by SEVANATHA in collaboration with Colombo Municipal Council and Sri Lanka Women’s Development Cooperative Society (Women’s Coop). The Project period is from March, 2011 to March, 2015.

It is very encouraging to place on record that the Community Development Councils (CDCs) formed and renewed under this project in Urban Poor Communities in the City of Colombo was given adequate training to undertake Community Contract by the CDCs. The training and technical support for this activity was provided by SEVANATHA which has initiated pioneering work on Community Contracts in Sri Lanka. The empowered CDCs within a short period of time got ready to undertake Community Contact by opening up their bank account, identifying the necessary skilled persons within the community or its vicinity and sharing responsibilities by the CDC Leaders for initiating constriction works of their own communities.

SEVANATHA’s Technical officer has provided necessary drawings/ Plans, BOQs and other support such as getting the approval of CMC District Office for the construction works. SEVANATHA has then signed an agreement with each CDC to handover the relevant Community Contact to the CDCs. The project funds were mobilized based on CC contract agreement in installments against the construction progress achieved by the CDCs.

Some elements of the completed CCs are as followed.

• Types of CCs; Toilets and bath rooms, Inner Access roads, Drains & Open Drainage, retaining Walls, Community Centers, Electricity & Water supply
• Normal Time Duration (Per CC); 45 days-60 days
• Project Cost (Per CC); LKR 200,000- LKR 300,000
• Partner Contribution; SEVANATHA, CDCs (Labour), Municipal Councils, Women’s Coop and other institutions.

No of CCs completed by the CDCs

Type of CCs	No of CCs completed by the CDCs
Community Toilets and bath rooms	23
Drains improvement	11
Improvement of Inner Access Roads	03
Construction of Retaining Walls	02
Community Halls	03
Laying of New Sewer Lines	01
Electricity connection for the settlement	01
Total	44

Contribution for the CCs

Contribution of Project Funds	LKR    8,957,243.10	US $
Community Contribution	LKR 1,144,200.00
CMC’s Contribution	LKR 669,200.00
Other (Women’s Bank)	LKR        80,000.00
Total Contribution	LKR  10,850,643.10

The CC Method can be identified as unique community empowerment tool where by the Community Leaders gain confidence in handling project funds, managing construction activities and lots of other experiences such as maintaining proper records and operating bank accounts by themselves. Improved community unity and team work are other direct benefits to the communities in handling CCs.

Some examples of Completed CCs

SEVANATHA offers Community Based programs which include, providing Financial and Technical Support for the poor families, establishing savings and credit groups in Urban and Rural poor communities in order to improve their housing and livelihoods. SEVANATHA has engaged in providing training for community Leaders and relevant stakeholder preventatives on Participatory Development tools such as Community Action Planning and Community Contract etc. In this context it is essential to improve the capacity of SEVANATHA staff who are handling the financial matters of the organization.

As recommended by its project partner, Homeless International (HI) of United Kingdom, the Accounting for International Development (AFID) which is a UK-based social enterprise has agreed to post a volunteer for a three weeks period to train the Accounting staff of the SEVANATHA. A well experienced Charted Management Accountant attached to the AFID was assigned to undertaking the training of SEVANATHA staff on voluntarily basis. The training provided by the volunteer covered the following aspects of Financial Management.

• Budget preparation and analysis
• The review & implementation of financial controls
• International and external (donor) reporting
• Developing financial procedures
• Cash-flow forecasting
• Financial Planning and Audit Preparation

Their program is based on a loan-term financial management development strategy, supported by handovers’ from one qualified accountant to another

The AFID volunteer Ms.Alison Anderson Mcdade visited Sri Lanka and started the training activities in SEVANATHA on 21st July and continued up to 07th August 2014. Ms Alison has had a number of briefly meetings with the Management of SEVANATHA during her assignment. She has provided her comprehensive report of the training activities conducted by her including the recommendations for improving the performance of the Accounts Unit of SEVANATHA.

The President and Executive Committee of SEVANATHA wish to extend their sincere gratitude to Ms.Alison Mcdade and Ms.Apeksha Sumaria Shah of AFID for their cooperation and commitment to support SEVANATHA on the above training program.

The above short course was organized jointly by the Cities Development Initiatives for Asia (CDIA) and the CITYNET Secretariat in Scioul, Korea.

The purpose of the workshop was to provide in-depth training on use of training modules developed by the CDIA on Urban Infrastructure Financing Options in the Asia Pacific Region. The target participants were senior city Engineers/ Planners who are directly engage in planning and implementation of Urban Infrastructure projects in Cities of Asia pacific region.

The SEVANATHA has nominated an Urban Planner and A Financial Officer who have gained sufficient experience project planning and financing for the above training. The two participants have successfully completed their training and are expected to serve as trainers for conducting future training program for the Project Municipalities in Sri Lanka.

SEVANATHA greatly appreciate the above opportunity provided by the CITYNET and CDIA for improving the knowledge and skills of its young project staff.

The currently implemented Colombo Community Empowerment project supported by the UK Aid through Homeless International UK, has obtaining funding support from the Common Wealth Foundation in UK for extension above project for another two years from year 2015. As part of the Common Wealth project support, it has provided the above training opportunity for the Acting Project Manager of the HI project.

The purpose of the workshop was to;

• Grantees satisfied with their log frame for the Commonwealth Foundation funded project
• Grantees are equipped to develop a monitoring and evaluation plan for the Commonwealth Foundation funded project
• Grantees learn more about the Commonwealth Foundation and the grants program

Workshop content;

• Understanding of results and knowledge cycle
• Theory of changes
• Understanding of logic model and log frame
• Usefulness of log frame
• Evaluation approaches
• Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

Our participant has successfully completed her training and currently engages in implementation of the relevant project activities.

SEVANATHA wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the opportunity which was provided by the Common Wealth Foundation and the Homeless International in UK.  

SEVANATHA has coordinated an Exchange Visit program of Bangladesh Delegation who are engaged in implementing the UN Habitat Supported Urban Partnership for Poverty Reduction (UPPR) project of Bangladesh during the period 16th to 22nd June, 2014. The delegation consisted of 19 members including the Mayor of Sirajganj Pourashava, a Councilor of Comilla City Cooperation, Senior Engineers of Local Government Engineering Department Headquarters, National Project Director of UPPR Project and other Senior Officials of the UPPRP. It was also attended by the Community Leaders of Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) established under the UPPR project.

SEVANATHA has grown up the program for the delegation stating from 17th June till 21st June. To study the Micro Credit program implemented jointly by SEVANATHA and Women’s Coop in Sri Lanka and to meet relevant Government Officials, Local Authority officials, micro Credit Organizations and Community Groups to learn about Housing and Livelihood Supports program implemented in Sri Lanka focusing on Urban and rural poor communities.

The delegation had the opportunity of meeting some very important Officials and Leaders including the Secretary and the Senior Officials of the Ministry of Construction Engineering Services Housing and Common Amenities, the Deputy Mayor of Colombo Municipal Council, the Municipal Commissioner and the Senior Officials of CMC, the former Director of Lunawa Environment and Community Development Project, the Mayor, Commissioner and Senior Officials of Galle Municipal Council, the Chair Person and the General Manager of Sri Lanka Women’s Services Development Cooperative Society (Women’s Co-op), the Chairman/ Executive Director of HELP-O (NGO) in Galle city were among those visited.

According to the views express by the delegation members at the final day of the program, the exchange visit has offered them a great learning opportunity covering both the institutional level as well as grass roots level communities activities implemented in Colombo and other parts of Sri Lanka.

Under the currently implemented Community Empowerment Project in Colombo which is financial supported by the UK Aid through Homeless International in UK, SEVANATHA has completed eighteen (18) staff capacity building workshops during the past two years. These workshops were conducted under a key project activity, strengthening the capacity of SEVANATHA staff to support the emerging CBO net work in Colombo.

The main objectives of conducting the Capacity Building workshops include, enhancing the skills and knowledge of the staff to better manage the challenges they faced in implementing project activities as well as facing the problems uncounted in their personal life.

The 19th capacity building workshop was conducted by Eng.Ranil Sugathadasa who is a world famous rewarded Motivational Trainer who is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The title of the workshop was ‘Making Employees Engaged Positively for Achieving Strategic Objectives of SEVANATHA by Identifying and Capitalizing on Both Known & Hidden Talents of the Employees’.

The workshop contained presentation on emotional freedom techniques, practical exercises, brainstorming and sharing of experiences. During the workshop, the staff has identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of SEVANATHA as well as in their own personal lives.

The workshop has offered an excellent learning opportunity for the staff of SEVANATHA who are ambitious in achieving their targets.

An International Exchange Visits by a group of representatives of the local project partners of U. K. Aid and Homeless International (HI), U.K. supported Community Empowerment Project in Colombo; was undertaken during 21st to 26th February 2014 to Nepal. The team included, the Municipal Commissioner, of Colombo Municipal Council, The Municipal Treasurer, The Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Professional services), Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health of the CMC and Four members of the staff of SEVANATHA including its Executive Director, Four Community Leaders and one leader of Women’s Coop Sri Lanka. SEVANATHA was responsible for coordinating this exchange visit with the Lumanti Support Group for Shelter which is a reputed local NGO in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Objectives of the Exchange Visit

• To provide an opportunity for the community leaders, officials of the Colombo Municipal Council and other Project team members to learn about successful community based projects implemented in partnership with the Government and Local Authorities in Nepal.
• Knowledge and skills improvement of the representatives of Project partners and the community leaders.
• To learn more about the community, local authority and government partnership in project implementation and sustainability.
• To motivate the project team members and community leaders by appreciating their contribution to the project through providing an opportunity to visit a foreign Country

Improvement of basic services as being identified by the communities through Community Contract Method proved to be a very successful community based intervention for settlement upgrading in Colombo. This is being carried out under the currently implemented Community Empowerment Project in the city of Colombo by SEVANATHA in association with Colombo Municipal Council and the Sri Lanka Women’s Cooperative Development Society.

This project is financially supported by the U.K Aid through Homeless International (HI) of U.K. SEVANATHA being the main local partner for implementing this project in the selected USSs communities in Colombo has achieved significant improvements in completing 34 service improvement projects in 34 USSs in the city under the Community Contract method. SEVANATHA has a target of completing a total of 60 such projects in selected USSs in Colombo by March 2015.

The community leaders are the key driving force behind this process which not only offers them with improved services in their communities but also contribute to achieve genuine community empowerment. Two Examples of CC projects are given below.

** Already completed service improvement project at No.154 Settlement, E. W. Perera Mawatha, Punchi Boralla, Colombo 10 **