The CHA and A-PAD Sri Lanka in partnership with Muslim Aid and Islamic Relief facilitated the hosting of the National Consultation on ‘Humanitarianism in Sri Lanka – Reaching New Heights and Goals’, in preparation of the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) 2016 which was held on the 10th of June 2015 at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) Auditorium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Deputy Minister for Policy Planning and Economic Affairs, Dr Harsha De Silva, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest, addressing the gathering, cited the importance of a cohesive unit inclusive of the non-governmental sector as well as unconventional partners such as the private sector in taking on a humanitarian role in society. Also attending the event, Mr W M Bandusena, the Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management, the Guest of Honour, echoed the importance of such discussions in edifying gaps and pertinent measures to bridge them.

The event encompassed a one day consultation process to complement the World Humanitarian Summit of 2016 which will be held in Istanbul, Turkey next year and will be chaired by the Secretary General of the United Nations. The consultation was moderated in four groups which touched on varying aspects of the subject and was attended by over 75 organisations inclusive of the government sector, UN agencies, I/NGO’s, CBOs as well as the private sector, women, youth and grass root organizations. Attendees from Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincolmalee, Nuwara Eliya, Hambantota and Vavuniya were also present. Representation from the international community most notably included members of the Humanitarian Forum, UK, and the WHS Regional Consultation in South and Central Asia.