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.