Sri Lanka

Introduction

Since 2015, WFD has collaborated with the Parliament of Sri Lanka to reinforce financial scrutiny committees and Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs), providing professional development training and developing guidelines for effective scrutiny and oversight. Between 2016-2019, WFD facilitated UK-Sri Lanka parliamentary exchanges for oversight insights.

WFD takes an inclusive and cross-party approach to strengthen the parliament, focusing on underrepresented groups. WFD provides technical assistance to diverse stakeholders by collaborating with the parliament and political parties, even during times of political uncertainty.

Our programmes aim to foster inclusive politics, accountable systems, the protection of freedoms, and pluralist societies. Enhanced inclusion stems from relationship building and information sharing between political actors and civil society. Incentivised political actors and collaborative civil society organisations (CSOs) contribute to better policymaking, establishing long-term progress.

Using a political economy analysis (PEA) framework with gender and conflict-sensitive lenses, we prioritise democracy-specific needs. Our problem-driven programming addresses core issues, assisting parliaments, political parties, civil society, and electoral systems in delivering meaningful societal outcomes.

Context

In the past decade, Sri Lanka has developed parliamentary practices which aim to strengthen parliament and safeguard the independence of commissions. In this evolving political environment, parliament has a key role to play to secure these ambitions. Through our programmes, WFD has engaged with key parliamentary stakeholders as they seek to develop and embed parliamentary practices that will contribute to strengthened oversight and scrutiny of the executive and provide more avenues for inclusive political participation.

Current programmes

Integrated Security Fund

The focus of the project is to build institutional trust in parliament by enhancing parliamentary oversight, accountability, and inclusion, especially in relation to Sri Lanka's political and economic crisis. As part of these efforts, WFD organised an executive course on post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) for three selected MPs. These MPs advocated for the incorporation of PLS processes into Sri Lanka's parliamentary system, leading to the formation of a committee on PLS.

WFD Sri Lanka also established the Economic Inclusion Working Group (EIWG) during the 2022-2023 political and economic crisis to assess policies related to inclusive economic recovery. In 2023, the EIWG transformed into an independent entity called the Coalition for Inclusive Impact (CII) with a mandate to work on issues of economic and political inclusion, social cohesion, transparency and accountability.

Furthermore, WFD Sri Lanka collaborated with the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) and other stakeholders to support democratic processes and uphold electoral integrity. The formal partnership between WFD and the ECSL enables further support during upcoming elections, with the aim of strengthening accountability and transparency in campaign finance.

Status

Underway

Global LGBT+ Programme

Under the Global LGBT+ Programme, WFD Sri Lanka focuses on strengthening democratic institutions and practices to promote LGBT+ equality. The programme supports political decision makers and civic actors in working towards a more inclusive policy and legal framework for LGBT+ equality in Sri Lanka. It also supports the implementation of laws and policies and continues to work towards the decriminalisation process through a Private Member's Bill. WFD Sri Lanka is working on establishing the 'Inclusion Champion' model to facilitate inclusive policymaking and collaborations between political actors and civil society for the advancement of LGBT+ rights.

Status

Underway

Completed programmes

Supporting the Parliament to strengthen oversight and legislative processes and rule

Status

Completed

Supporting political parties to be consultative and representative

Status

Completed

Supporting National Audit Office officials in forensic audit training

Status

Completed

Supporting a gender responsive and inclusive parliament

Status

Completed

Planned end date

March 2022

Key focus areas

A purple icon of a speaker addressing in a parliament

Strengthening the capacity of parliament and parliamentary committees

Restoring political and institutional trust and building inclusive economic policy reforms

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Advancing equality and inclusion of women, girls, and LGBT+ persons

An icon of a hand casting vote in the ballot box

Strengthening inclusive election processes

Key Results

Amid the 2022-2023 political and economic crisis, WFD Sri Lanka established an Economic Inclusion Working Group (EIWG). The group evaluates policies for inclusive economic recovery and engages underrepresented communities.

An icon of weighing machine indicating equality

A historic bill was presented to amend Sri Lanka's LGBT+ marginalising laws. WFD's perception survey, showing societal support for decriminalising same-sex intimacy, played a key role in support of the bill.

Facilitated an island-wide LGBT+ activist network, connecting grassroots communities and organisations, strategising together for decriminalising same-sex intimacy in Sri Lanka.