Sri Lanka
Our strategy
The Mercy Corps country program in Sri Lanka closed on January 15, 2012. Over seven years we implemented 22 programs worth $22 million in Sri Lanka, improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and leaving a strong legacy.
The context
After seven years of working with communities across the country, we decided to close our operations in light of high taxation and visa difficulties for international organisations, government bans on assistance in post-conflict areas and the decline in available funding. Given these circumstances, as well as Sri Lanka’s socio-economic development levels in relation to the rest of South Asia, we felt we could not continue to work in Sri Lanka and make the kind of impact we would hope.
Our work
- Emergency response: Provided basic supplies, spurred clean-up and helped restart community tourism jobs in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
- Economic opportunity: Supported business recovery and created 1,500 jobs; piloted microfinance and insurance programs that have expanded to other Mercy Corps programs around the world
All stories about Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka: Calling Kinniya Back to Life August 15, 2005
Mira Saheem has a hot and dusty commute. I can vouch for that because last week, I endeavored to join him on his rounds.
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Sri Lanka: Getting Back to Play July 11, 2005
The morning cool was just burning off as we bundled into the van. The vehicle was already packed full of paint, rope, and various hand tools that by the end of the day would help create a playground for over 60 children who live at the Komari camp for tsunami-displaced families.
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Sri Lanka: Stitching Up an Industry June 24, 2005
Over the last three months, Mercy Corps has partnered with Singer Sewing Machine Company to help Sri Lankan seamstresses revive their businesses.
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Sri Lanka: A Few Words Go a Long Way May 11, 2005
The din of over a hundred kids packed into a makeshift school building was building to a roar. According to Thulasimani, a second-grade teacher at Komari School, it is usually noisy but this was something different. “There is an excitement in the air,” she said.
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Sri Lanka: Lights of Hope May 3, 2005
The big day is finally here.
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Sri Lanka: Clearing a Beachfront Village Provides Financial, Psychological Benefits March 24, 2005
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Sri Lanka: The Center for Peace Building and Reconciliation: Redefining the Three-Day Weekend March 24, 2005
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Sri Lanka: Team of Youth for Development, Understanding, and Progress (TYDUP): The Play’s the Thing March 24, 2005
Along the beachfront road in Kinniya, on the corner beside the gutted remains of Kinniya District Hospital, a hand-lettered sign has been nailed to a tree: TSUNAMI JUNCTION
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Sri Lanka: Putting Fish Back on Bicycles March 24, 2005
The fish are back.
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Sri Lanka: Sweetening Kuchchaveli’s Wells March 24, 2005