Community-Led Development and the Role of Civil Society: Sri Lankan Stakeholders Come Together for National Dialogue
On 26 May 2026, Sri Lankan members of the Movement for Community-Led Development (MCLD) convened the first in a national series of dialogues on Community-Led Development (CLD) and the Role of Civil Society. Held online, the event brought together more than 40 participants representing civil society organizations, community-based organizations, grassroots leaders, citizen groups, and government institutions.
The dialogue created an important space for diverse stakeholders to exchange perspectives on how communities can take a leading role in shaping their own development and how civil society can support this process through participation, accountability, and local capacity strengthening. The event featured insightful contributions from distinguished speakers, including Gunjan Veda, Global Secretary of MCLD; Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, President of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement; Mr. Chandrarathna D. Vithanage, Director General of the NGO Secretariat; Mr. Manjula Gajanayake; and Ms. Sinthuja Shanmuganathan.
The strong turnout, active participation, and vibrant discussions demonstrated the growing interest in community-led approaches within Sri Lanka. Participants shared practical experiences, explored challenges and opportunities, and highlighted the importance of shifting power and decision-making closer to communities. As the first dialogue in this series, the event successfully laid the foundation for continued engagement and collaboration among civil society, communities, and government actors. Building on this momentum, Sri Lankan MCLD members will continue to host similar conversations to strengthen the understanding and practice of community-led development across the country.