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    9Nov, 2021
    Muslim Aid Sri Lanka’s courtesy visit to the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka

    The officials of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka made a courtesy visit to the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, on the 8th of November, 2021. They met the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner, His Excellency, Mr Tanvir Ahmed, at the High Commission premises.

    During the visit, the Country Director of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka, Mr. Faizer Khan highlighted Muslim Aid’s fifteen (15) years of dedicated service in Sri Lanka to the Deputy High Commissioner. He also recollected the partnership between Muslim Aid Sri Lanka and the Pakistan High Commission, through which a substantial number of development and aid programmes were conducted. Muslim Aid then expressed their interest to resume the partnership with the High Commission.

    The Deputy High Commissioner described the High commission’s programmes; especially those supporting higher education and educational scholarships of Sri Lankan students every year. His Excellency also highlighted the Pakistani Government’s assistance to Sri Lanka through   community-based household livelihood programmes.

    Furthermore, His Excellency, Mr.Tanvir Ahmed mentioned the strategy adopted by the High Commission in implementing the projects in Sri Lanka, where the projects focus on cultivating and establishing social cohesion and coexistence among the communities in the country.

    The Country Director of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka was accompanied by Business Development Manager, M. Mohamed Jaleel and Business Development Officer Fahim Iqbal on this courtesy visit.

    15Nov, 2019
    Students and Staff of the Vocational Training Authority honoured at the Youth and Community Resilience Project Showcase & Active Citizen Certificate Awards Ceremony 2018/19.

    In September 2018, Muslim Aid Sri Lanka supported by the British Council teamed up with the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka to instigate the Youth and Community Resilience (YCR) Programme – an initiative that aimed to reach youth engaged in technical education by providing social skills development training that have been identified as essential to perform as an effective Employee, Entrepreneur and overall as a responsible “Active Citizen’ of the country.

    The purpose of the programme was to enable students to understand different cultures, communities and their norms and values through group work and activities under social skill development. The YCR programme has succeeded in this regard, as stories from the active citizens serve to prove so. Students who were part of the programme have become socially aware and this is a promising development; as it has the potential create a paradigm shift in their communities regarding socio-political issues. The programme has thus created a network among students and provided them an invaluable platform to build professional relationships among them

    Ms.Gill Caldicott, Country Director of British Council and Mr.Faizer Khan,
    Country Director of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka
    lighting the Oil Lamp designed by the students of the VTA. — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies

    Ms. Amy O’Brien,
    1st Secretary, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Adviser – British High Commission of Sri Lanka and Dr.Yousuf K. Marikkar, Vice Chairman, Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.

    Hundred youth who were enrolled for technical education courses at Vocational Training Centers, and twenty five VTA lecturers from different religious and cultural backgrounds were trained through the Active Citizens Training Framework & Toolkit used in the British Council’s Global Active Citizens (AC) programme by the British Council. To honour and celebrate the completion of the training and successful implementation of Social Action Projects by the VTA Staff and Students, an Awarding Ceremony and Project Showcase was held on the 29th of October at the BCIS Olympus Auditorium, BMICH. The occasion was graced by Mr. Ravi Jayawardana, Chairman – Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka as the chief guest , and other distinguished guests; Ms. Gill Caldicott, Country Director – British Council, Mr. Faizer Khan , Country Director – Muslim Aid Sri Lanka, Ms. Amy O’Brien, 1st Secretary, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Adviser – British High Commission of Sri Lanka; and Mrs. Chulangani Perera, Director General – Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka The event featured a video documentary, depicting the journey of the YCR programme participants and its impact. Followed by a 6-chair panel discussion; moderated in all 3 languages, which was a sharing of experiences by students and an instructor of the Vocational Training Authority Sri Lanka; an Active Citizen Master Facilitator and a parent of one of the students. Ms. Vinoja, a VTA student from Batticaloa, who successfully implemented a community project and attended the awards ceremony expressed her thoughts on the programme saying “I was a shy and quiet person, but through the Active Citizens Training I have gained leadership skills and improved my ability to communicate effectively. At the same time was given the opportunity to build good relationships with other youth and communities who follow a different faith, particularly the Muslim Community”. 


    Panel discussion – Project journey – sharing experiences :
    VTA lecturer sharing his thoughts on the impact of the Active Citizens programme on Youth and Community Resilience
     — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.

    Panel discussion – Project journey – sharing experiences : VTA student from Anuradhapura
    sharing her AC journey
     — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.

    A showcase of 10 community projects conceptualised, developed and delivered by the VTA Active Citizens from 3 districts (Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Trincomalee) was later declared open for viewing, where guests were able to witness the efforts of Active Citizens, their immediate achievements and the outreach of social initiatives that had potential to resolve community issues in the long run. Speaking at the event, Mr Faizer Khan Country Director MASL said: “I believe that by building community resilience, the youth will emerge as leaders and be able to adapt to changes and face any challenges they may face. This will create community cohesion and positively contribute to the sustainable development process of the country”


    Special guests and other invitees walk through the community project showcase

     — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.
    Active Citizen explaining her project to Director General of VTA
     — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.

    Ms Amy O’Brien from the British High Comission has a closer look at the projects on display — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.

    Following the success of Phase One, the YCR programme is expected to extend its reach beyond the three districts of Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. This customized social skills development programme using the active citizens core methodology (with additional input sessions) is projected to be institutionalised at Vocational Training Centers to reach almost 35000 youth in 212 centers of by the Vocational Training Authority in Sri Lanka as a complementary learning module to the technical skills curriculum.


    Students of the VTA receiving the certificate for successful completion of the Active Citizens social leadership training — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.

    Students of the VTA receiving the certificate for successful completion of the Active Citizens social leadership training — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.

    Students of the VTA receiving the certificate for successful completion of the Active Citizens social leadership training — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.

    Chairman of the VTA delivering his speech — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.


    Ms.Gill Caldicott, Country Director of British Counciil delivering her key note address — at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.



    19Aug, 2018
    Muslim Aid Sri Lanka Was Able Responds Immediately Partnering With ADRA And Child Fund

    In late May 2017, The Southwest Monsoon caused flooding and landslides most of the parts of Sri Lanka, causing massive damage to hundreds of homes. The flood affected more than 545,283 people and over 180 people were killed and more than 103 people remain missing, while an estimated 80,409 people belonging to 20,101 families displaced.

    Muslim Aid Sri Lanka was able responds immediately partnering with ADRA and Child Fund, we worked in the multi-cultural communities of Matara District where 93 percent of those who were affected by the disaster. We concentrated our effort in the Divisional Secretariats of Pitabeddara and Athuraliya and Gale District distributed 1,640 emergency kits that include non-food items (NFIs) and dry food rations that will help the displaced families for a month.

    As we conclude our emergency response, we are challenged of addressing health and sanitation issues of displaced children, pregnant and the elderly women.