Clean Sri Lanka ‘Beyond Recovery’ Initiative

Clean Sri Lanka ‘Beyond Recovery’ Humanitarian Initiative Launched to Heal Minds Affected by Cyclone Ditwah

A humanitarian initiative titled ‘Beyond Recovery’, launched under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, has commenced to enhance the psychological well-being of those affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Accordingly, a preliminary training workshop for government officials was held at the Presidential Secretariat, led by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Under this programme, government officials from District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats in six central disaster-affected districts with prior exposure and understanding of mental well-being will be selected and provided with specialised training. These training programmes will be conducted by leading mental health professionals in Sri Lanka.

The workshop also focused on discussions on the formulation of scientifically structured programmes, the development of counselling frameworks, and the design of psychosocial support initiatives to be implemented in relief centres in disaster-affected districts.

The primary objective of the Clean Sri Lanka programme is to enhance Sri Lanka’s social values, ethical standards, and environmental well-being. The ‘Beyond Recovery’ humanitarian initiative has been launched as a practical step toward realising this vision, particularly in response to the challenges posed by recent natural disasters.

Government officials trained through this programme are expected to implement psychosocial support activities in relief centres in the near future to improve the mental well-being of affected communities.

Mr. Russell Aponsu attended the event, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Convener of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, Mr. S. P. C. Sugeeshwara, Additional Secretary to the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, Member of Parliament and Coordinator, Mr. Thanura Dissanayake, Clean Sri Lanka District Coordinator for Kandy, along with officials of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat and other invitees.