Help-o Srilanka Newsletter JUNE 2025

ABOUT US

HELP-Oisanon-governm

stablishedin1992toservethe localcommunitybymaki oliveinharmonywithnature

Thevisionoftheorganiz

cDevelopment,SocialJustice, andaSaferEnvironment Toidentifytherisksconfronted bySriLankancommun vesolutionsthroughproven integratedapproachesw olders."

ThefivestrategiesHELP-

ssionincludeempoweringthe marginalizedcommunity ecognizingtheimportanceof communityparticipation ngeffortstoprotectingthe environmentthroughan dinghumanrightsandjustice, andensuringsustainable

Ourprogramsandp

communityempowerment, rehabilitation,reliefassist ts,communityparticipationin localgovernance,comm velopment,economicresource mobilization,nurturing impactofclimatechange, pollutionprevention,was tilizationofmarineresources, andoptimalutilizationof

Ourorganizationisdedicatedtomakingasustainablepositiveimpactonthe environmentandthelivesofpeopleinSriLankathroughamultisectoralapproachin differentsectors.

Awareness Session on e-Sabha Mobile Application for Newly Elected Councillors

in Galle District

Anawarenesssessiononthee-SabhamobileapplicationwasheldonJune14,2025,at Aradhana Hotel, Galle, for elected members of four local government institutions: Ambalangoda,Akmeemana,Bope-Poddala,andYakkalamullaPradeshiyaSabhas.

The event was organized by the Southern Provincial Department of Local Government to promote digital governance among local authorities. Representing HELP-O, CEO Dr. Chathura Welivitiya and Project Manager Mr Lahiru Maduranga Udumalagala attended the session. The secretaries of the respective Pradeshiya Sabhas also took part, contributingtothediscussiononeffective useoftheappinadministrativefunctions

This initiative aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in local governancethroughdigitaltools.

Preparatory TOT Program for Science Resource Center Managers on New Teacher's Guide Book

A two-day training workshop was held on June 17–18, 2025, at the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Maharagama to introduce new environmental education materials aimed at building a plastic waste-free future. The program focused on the recently publishedTeacher’sGuideandStudentActivityBookbytheMinistryofEnvironment.

The workshop brought together Science Resource Center managers from across Sri Lanka, alongside educators from the NIE,representativesfromtheDepartment of Educational Publications, and officers fromtheCentralEnvironmentalAuthority. Organized jointly by the Ministry of Environment and HELP-O, with support from the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions under UNEP, the event featured expert presentations and hands-on training sessions

The program was inaugurated by Ms PadmaAbeykoon,AdditionalSecretaryof the Ministry of Environment. HELP-O CEO Dr.ChathuraWelivitiyaandhisteamalso played an active role in the training initiative

e-Sabha Awareness Session Held for Newly Elected Local

Government Members- stage 02

On June 26, 2025, an awareness session on the e-Sabha process was held at Aradhana Hotel in Galle for newly elected members of the Thawalama, Niyagama, Imaduwa,Welivitiya-Divithura,andHabaraduwaPradeshiyaSabhas.

The program was organized by the Southern Provincial Department of Local Government to familiarize members with the digital governance system. Awareness was provided by Dr. Chathura Welivitiya, CEO of Helpo-Sri Lanka, along with ProgrammeManagerMr.LahiruMaduranga.

Online Webinar-Practical Solutions to Combat Singleuse Plastic Pollution in Sri Lanka's Tourism Sector

On June 17th, 2025, a crucial online webinar was held to equip Sri Lanka's tourism businesses with practical solutions to combat single-use plastic pollution This timely event underscored Sri Lanka's commitment to addressing this critical environmental challenge.

Participantsgainedvaluableinsightsintoregulatorymeasures,industryinitiatives,and effective strategies for eliminating problematic single-use plastics. The webinar also highlightedviable,reusablealternatives,withafocusonlocallysourcedoptions

TheinitiativewasacollaborativeeffortbytheSecretariatoftheBasel,Rotterdamand Stockholm(BRS)conventions,theMinistryofEnvironment,IGES,HELP-O,andtheGlobal TourismPlasticInitiative(GTPI) Thiscollectiveexpertiseaimedtoempowerthetourism sectorinitstransitiontowardsamoresustainable,plastic-freefuture.

Celebrating World Environment Day 2025: A Call to Action Against Plastic Pollution

This World Environment Day 2025, HELP-O urges everyone to join hands in the fight againstplasticpollution.Ourcommitmenttoenvironmentalprotectionisstrengthened by your support, and we believe that even small, consistent steps can lead to significantchange.

Let's collectively work towards a future free of plastic, starting today Reduce your plasticuseandcontributetoahealthier,morebeautifulenvironmentforall.