Flag of Sri Lanka

Democracy, Human Rights and Governance

Speeches Shim

USAID helps to strengthen democratic governance, reconciliation processes, and inclusive economic growth in Sri Lanka toward the development of a prosperous country and society. The following activities contribute to democratic governance and reconciliation by strengthening government institutions and accountability; building a robust civil society; increasing access to balanced and accurate information through the media; promoting dialogue and conflict mitigation among multi-ethnic communities; and building local capacity for disaster response and risk reduction.

Victims of Trauma Treatment Program (VTTP)
This activity provides counseling to survivors of conflict, torture, and gender-based violence and their families, while improving sustainable service delivery by building the capacity of local service providers. It also aims to incorporate psychosocial services into reconciliation processes. It is implemented with the Ministry of Social Services, the Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Social Development, the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, and the National Institute of Mental Health. 

Initiative for Sustained Peaceful Inter-Ethnic Relations through Economic Development (INSPIRED)
INSPIRED advances reconciliation in Sri Lanka through inter-community engagement in the Eastern Province. INSPIRED implements people to people activities among different ethnic groups; supports inter-ethnic cooperation on economic initiatives; and promotes models of inter-ethnic collaboration in the business sector through policy change and advocacy. 

Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SCORE) 
The purpose of the SCORE activity is to strengthen Sri Lankan-led efforts to advance social cohesion and reconciliation. This will be achieved through a mix of quick impact and longer-term sustainable interventions that: 1) promote a cohesive Sri Lankan identity; 2) reduce socio-economic disparities and exclusion; and 3) enhance community resilience. 

SCORE Collaborative Analysis of Reconciliation Dynamics Tool (SCORE CARD)
SCORE CARD collaborates with USAID’s SCORE activity to conduct research on reconciliation in Sri Lanka. It serves as an external learning tool to inform and complement USAID's SCORE activity and provide localized data on community level understanding and dynamics of reconciliation in Sri Lanka.