Sarvodaya Headquarters, 17 June 2026 – Twelve medical doctors from Batch 14 of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sector Disaster Management of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM), University of Colombo, visited the Sarvodaya Headquarters on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, for an intensive one-day interactive learning programme organized by the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning.

The visit formed part of the trainees’ academic requirements, which include short attachments to institutions that play a key role in health sector disaster management. The programme aimed to familiarize participants with Sarvodaya’s community-based approaches to disaster preparedness, public health, resilience building, and humanitarian response.

The day commenced with a session About Sarvodaya and Disaster preparedness and response, delivered by Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Honorary President of the Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya, followed by an overview of Sarvodaya’s Community Development Model by Mr. Damith Kulanayake, Executive Director of the Sarvodaya Movement.

Participants also engaged with the work of the Planetary Health Unit, where they learned about initiatives related to food security, nutrition, sustainable food systems, and the UNICEF-supported Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) programme. The Disaster Management Unit shared its experiences in community-based disaster response, rapid mobilization, relief coordination, and resilience building.

In the afternoon, trainees were introduced to the work of the Field Operations Division, which coordinates district-level interventions and volunteer mobilization, and the Suwasetha Sewa Society, which provides nutrition, rehabilitation, and care services for vulnerable populations. The programme concluded with a session at the Vishva Niketan International Peace Centre, highlighting the role of mindfulness, counselling, and holistic wellbeing in fostering peace and community harmony.

The visit provided participants with valuable insights into Sarvodaya’s integrated and community-centered approach to health, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development, while promoting knowledge exchange between the health sector and civil society organizations.