Capacity Building Workshop 11–13 July 2025 @ Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning, Main Campus, Bandaragama, Sri Lanka

The Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning (SIHL) proudly launched a three-day Capacity Building Workshop on Social Emotional Education – Knowledge to Practice (SEEK) from 11th to 13th July 2025. This significant initiative is being conducted in partnership with the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP), New Delhi, a global leader in reimagining education through social emotional learning (SEL) and digital pedagogies. Learn more about MGIEP

This workshop marks a pivotal step toward advancing SEL in Sri Lanka’s education sector, emphasizing empathy, compassion, and mindfulness as foundational elements of quality education and peaceful societies. The SEEK program is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, equipping educators and policymakers with practical tools to integrate SEL in their contexts.

35 selected youth participants participate the workshop representing different social and geographical levels in Sri Lanka. The workshop is conducted in all 3 languages.

International Collaboration for Transformative Education

Representing UNESCO MGIEP, Dr. Richa Bansal and Ms. Ankita Singh traveled to Sri Lanka to facilitate the workshop, bringing international expertise and insight into SEL frameworks, neuroscience, and pedagogical practices.

The workshop commenced with a warm and heartfelt welcome by Ms. Anushka, Assistant Director at SIHL. She invited all participants to take part in a moment of mindfulness, honoring a core Sarvodaya practice that emphasizes self-awareness and inner peace as the starting point for social change.

Opening Remarks and Visionary Leadership

The official inauguration was delivered by Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, President of Sarvodaya and Director General of SIHL. In his address, Dr. Ariyaratne highlighted the urgent need to embed SEL into formal and non-formal education systems, especially in post-conflict societies. He emphasized that such collaborations are instrumental in achieving holistic and sustainable peace.

Following this, Ms. Himali Jinadasa, Board Director of SIHL and former UNESCO Country Coordinator for Sri Lanka, addressed the gathering. A key figure in initiating and coordinating this workshop, Ms. Jinadasa spoke passionately about the regional significance of the SEEK initiative and the immense potential to localize global SEL frameworks within Sri Lanka’s cultural and educational landscape.

Handover Ceremony & Symbolic Milestone

A highlight of the event was the official handover of the project document, symbolizing the commitment and shared responsibility between UNESCO MGIEP and SIHL. The ceremony featured Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Dr. Richa Bansal, Ms. Ankita Singh, and Ms. Himali Jinadasa on stage – representing a powerful confluence of local leadership and global partnership.

Participation from Key National Stakeholders

The inauguration ceremony concluded with a group photograph, featuring distinguished guests and representatives from leading government and national organizations, including:

• Prof. Prabath Jayasinghe, Secretary General, Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO
• Ms. Gayani Kirialla, Subject Officer (Education), and Ms. Upeka Hansani – Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO
• Ms. Mithini Dissanayake, representing the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR)
• Ms. Anuradha Perea and Ms. Sivalingam Niruthany from the Office for Reparations, Sri Lanka

Their presence reflected a strong institutional commitment to promoting SEL in education policy and national reconciliation frameworks.

Reaffirming SIHL’s Commitment to Peace and Innovation

This collaborative initiative reaffirms SIHL’s unwavering dedication to educational innovation, peacebuilding, and the holistic development of individuals and communities across Sri Lanka. By integrating SEL into capacity building programs, SIHL is paving the way for a new era of education that values not just cognitive growth but also emotional intelligence, empathy, and collective well-being.

As the SEEK workshop continues over the coming days, it promises to inspire a new generation of educators, facilitators, and changemakers committed to nurturing peaceful, resilient, and inclusive societies.