December 21, Colombo (LNW): A new humanitarian programme, titled ‘Beyond Recovery’, has been launched under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative to provide mental health support to communities impacted by Cyclone Ditwah.
The first step in the programme involved a training workshop for government officials, held at the Presidential Secretariat on December 19 under the guidance of Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The workshop brought together officials from District and Divisional Secretariats in six heavily affected districts, focusing on participants with prior experience in mental well-being and psychosocial support.
Led by senior mental health professionals in Sri Lanka, the training covered the design of structured counselling programmes, the development of support frameworks, and strategies to provide effective psychosocial care within relief centres.
Participants also discussed ways to ensure these initiatives are scientifically informed and tailored to the specific needs of disaster-affected communities.
The Clean Sri Lanka programme, which aims to enhance social values, ethical standards, and environmental well-being, sees ‘Beyond Recovery’ as a practical step towards promoting holistic recovery, addressing both physical and psychological challenges faced by citizens in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Officials trained under the initiative will soon begin implementing support activities in relief centres, helping to improve the mental and emotional well-being of those affected.
The workshop was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, Convener of the Clean Sri Lanka programme S. P. C. Sugeeshwara, Additional Secretary to the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, Member of Parliament and Coordinator Thanura Dissanayake, the Clean Sri Lanka District Coordinator for Kandy, and other invited officials.
