Marking a historic milestone in Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and child protection framework, the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI), in partnership with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS), successfully conducted a three-day residential Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme on Psychosocial Interventions for Child Survivors of Hurricanes, Landslides, and Floods from 8th to 10th February 2026 at the SLFI.
This initiative launched a Training of Trainers Manual on Psychosocial Interventions for Child Survivors of Hurricanes, Landslides, and Floods, to standardise psychosocial support for child survivors of natural disasters in Sri Lanka. Designed as a structured guideline, it will be implemented as the policy framework for a nationally recognised intervention system.
The programme, brought together district-level workers and volunteers of SLRCS island wide, school teachers, and SLPP members creating a strong nationwide network of trained personnel equipped to respond to children’s psychological needs during emergencies.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Athula Sumathipala, Professor of Psychiatry at Keele University, UK, who emphasized the urgent need for structured, evidence-based mental health systems in disaster contexts.
The programme also featured expert contributions from Dr. Neil Fernando, Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer at KDU, Dr. Saman Weerawansa, Academic Director, SLFI, Dr. H. P. C. Wasantha Pathirana, Senior Lecturer, SLFI, Dr. Yamuna Ellawala Consultant Community Physician, Health Promotion Bureau, Ms. Preethika Sakalasooriya Legal Director, NCPA), and Dr. Sathika De Silva.
The initiative was coordinated by Dr. H. P. C. Wasantha Pathirana (SLFI) and Ms. Dilini Ransinghe (SLRCS) under the guidance of Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara, Secretary General & CEO SLRCS, Professor Seetha Bandara, Chairperson of SLFI.
The inauguration was graced by Mrs. Stephanie Siriwardena, member of Prison Monitoring Committee, and Global Shapers Community, and Dr. Preethi as special guests.
This landmark initiative represents a significant step toward institutionalising a nationally coordinated psychosocial intervention system to protect and promote the mental well-being of children affected by disasters in Sri Lanka.
