Validation Workshop of the National Policy and Strategy on Sustainable Development (NPSSD) at Stakeholder Level : 12-14 March 2020

1. Background

As per the section 10 of Sustainable Development Act No 19 of 2017, one main responsibility of the Sustainable Development Council is to formulate and implement a National Policy and Strategy on Sustainable Development (NPSSD) to achieve the sustainable development goals in Sri Lanka. 

Accordingly, the Sustainable Development Council successfully organized a 3-day residential workshop at stakeholder level to validate the draft NPSSD which was moderated by the Council appointed consultant for the task Dr. A.G.T Sugathapala, Senior Lecturer, University of Moratuwa along with Dr Sugath Yalegama, Director General, Sustainable Development Council and with the support of USAID funded SDGAP project, being the main sponsor of the event.

2. Inaugural Session 

The inaugural session was held at Hilton Colombo Residences on 12th March 2020. Mr. R.H.W.A Kamarasiri, Director General- Department of National Planning attended the workshop representing Mr. S R Attigala, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Policy Development. Among other attendees were Mr. Bradley Austin- Deputy Chief of Party- SDGAP Project, government delegates including Additional Secretaries, Head of Departments, Senior Officials and members of Academia, Experts and Civil Society representatives. 

During the welcome address, Dr. M.M.S.S.B Yalegama, the Director General of Sustainable Development Council, Sri Lanka, emphasized the importance of engaging all stakeholders in the drafting and validating process of the NPSSD, a cardinal principle of the 2030 Agenda. He thanked the representatives of all sectors for participating in the workshop. Mr.R.H.W.A Kamarasiri, Director General of National Planning Department made the Keynote address on behalf of the Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development. 

Dr. A.G.T.Sugathapala presented the draft NPSSD giving insights into the draft NPSSD. He elaborated the process followed to domesticate the Global Agenda 2030, in the context of relevancy and potentials of Sri Lanka. This session was complimented by a lengthy interactive session of questions and answers.

Furthermore, Dr.Yalegama made an introductory remark to technical sessions, which was planned for next two days, setting clear objectives and expectation for the workshop. The event was a great success with more than seventy participants representing public, civil society, academia and other domain experts engaging actively in the interactions. 
 

3. Technical Sessions

Technical sessions were held as a residential workshop at the Jetwing Blue Hotel, Negombo from 13th to 14th March 2020 with the participants working in four groups in areas of Social, Economic, Environmental and Gender & Governance.

In the course, participants reviewed the draft NPSSD and contributed their suggestions for further development of the draft to make it more enforceable, realistic and inclusive.

3.1) Group 1 - Social Sector

In addition to general review of the Draft NPSSD and its Guiding Principles, Group 1 specifically reviewed the SD Goals 1: No Poverty, 3: Good Health & Well-Being, 4: Quality Education, 6: Clean Water & Sanitation and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Prof. Saroj Jayasinghe of University of Colombo moderated the group. Presenting the outcomes of Group 1, Dr. Sisira Karunaratne- Registrar in Community Dentistry – Ministry of Health pointed out that the health indicators should be changed on par with latest government strategies and action plan. Mr. Rajeeva Gunesekera, Treasurer, Sri Lanka Evaluations Association, presented the views on the education sector.

3.2) Group 2: Economic Sector

Prof. Siri Hettige moderated the Group 2 which reviewed the SD Goals 2: Zero Hunger, 7: Affordable & Clean Energy, 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth, 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure and 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities and relevant strategies to achieve each goal.  Summarized suggestions, including a new strategy of introducing Hydrogen Power Technologies to optimize the renewable energy sector, were briefed to the audience by Mr. Chamila Jayasekera – Director, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority.
 

3.3) Group 3: Environment Sector

Eng. Mr Gamini Senanayake moderated this group while Ms. Vositha Wijenayake- Executive Director- SLYCAN TRUST presented the outcome on the overall policy, guiding principles, new strategies and revisions to achieve each goal focusing primarily on assigned SD Goals 12: Responsible Consumption & Production, 13: Climate Action, 14: Life below Water, and 15: Life on Land. Ms Wijenayake emphasized that the draft NPSSD needs to be recognized as the overarching policy for Sri Lanka.
 

3.4) Group 4: Gender and Governance

Ms. Isha Wedasinghe Miranda- Independent Consultant/Evaluator moderated this group and presented the Group 4 outcome to develop the draft NPSSD prioritizing the SD Goals assigned under the areas of Gender and Governance. Further, she appreciated the efforts that have been made to draft the NPSSD and recommended to develop it further considering their suggestions given on SD Goals 5: Gender Equality,16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions and 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Delivering concluding remarks, Dr. S. Yalegama, Director General – Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka and Dr. A.G.T. Sugathapala- Consultant appreciated the contribution received from participants to meet the objective of the workshop and noted that the workshop considered as highly successful in terms of participation and especially the contributions to develop the Draft NPSSD.

4. Workshop Participants

Public Officers

Mr. R H W A Kumarasiri - Director General, Department of National Planning
Mr. R P B Thilakasiri* - Director General, Department of Samurdhi Development 
Mr. L T D Perera* - Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economics and Policy Development
Mr. Wernon Perera - Additional Secretary Development, Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources 
Mr. A S I Lakkathas - Additional Secretary Development, Ministry of Small & Medium Business and Enterprise Development
Mr. Lalith Edirisinghe - General Manager, National Housing Development Authority
Mr. P Mudalige - Director General, Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources 
Ms. Nazeema Ahmed - Acting Director General of the National Science Foundation and Director (Planning) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation
Ms. M T R S Attanayake - Acting Director General, National Institute of Social Development
Mr. R S K Keerthisena - Additional Director General, Department of Agriculture 
Ms. Shiranthi Ratnayake* - Additional Director General, Department of National Planning
Mr. M J J  Fernando - Deputy Director General, Central Environmental Authority
Mr. W F M Fernando - Deputy General Manager - Strategy and Policy Development, Ceylon Electricity Board 
Mrs. Janadari Wijesinghe - Deputy Secretary, University Grant Commission 
Ms. Jayarani Sivakumar - AGM, Corporate planning, National Water Supply and Drainage Board
Ms. Subashini Siriwardena - Assistant Director General, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption
Dr. Eshani Fernando - Director -Planning, Ministry of Health 
Mr. A B A K Gunaratne - Director - Monitoring and Evaluation, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency
Ms. Roshani Hettige* - Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Law Reforms
Ms. Anoja Herath - Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development 
Dr. R M Herath - Director, SEPC, DOA
Ms. D Jayasooriya* - Director - Planning, Vocational Training Authority
Mr. G D D Kumara - Director-Samurdhi Development, Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment 
Mr. Dammika Premarathna - Director - HRD and ICT, Department of National Planning 
Mr. Chamila Jayasekara - Director - Strategy, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority 
Ms. Shashikala Somaratne* - Director(Economic Affairs), Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Eng. S P C Sugeeshwara - Director of Irrigation, Department of Irrigation
Ms. Chandra Sureshvaran - Director Planning, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights & Law Reforms
Mr. R Wickramarathne - Director, Department of National Planning
Mr. P Wimalkumara* - Secretary/Director, Sri Lanka Council For Agricultural Research Policy
Mr. K T Premakantha - Conservator of Forests, Department of Forest Conservation
Dr. Sisira Karunaratne - Registrar in Community Dentistry ,Ministry of Health 
Dr.  S M P C Pathmini - Senior Scientist, Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy
Dr. P H A P C Geerihagama - Senior Scientist, Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy
Mr. Samitha Dayasekara - Assistant Secretary to the President, Presidential Secretariat 
Ms. Iresha Darmasena - Deputy Labour Commissioner, Industrial Relations, Labour Department
Ms. N C Dasanayaka - Deputy Director- Planning & Performance Review Division, Ministry of Education 
Mr. L P L Guneratne - Deputy Director, Department of Manpower and Employment
Mr. L M A Perera - Deputy Director- planning and monitoring, Department of Samurdhi Development 
Ms Thanuja Bandara - Assistant Director Legal, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption
Mr. P L Wimaladasa - Assistant Director-Research, Department of Wildlife Conservation
Ms. P Munasinghe* - Assistant Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Shan Samarakoon* - Assistant Director -Planning, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights & Law Reforms
Mr. H W R S Jayawardana - Planning officer, Vocational Training Authority

Academia, Experts, Private Sector, Civil Society Officers and Other Stakeholders

Prof. Saroj Jayasinghe - University of Colombo
Prof. Siri Hettige Emeritus - SDC Member, Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, University of Colombo
Prof. Savithri Gunasekara* - Emeritus Professor of Law,
Prof. W L  Sumathipala - SDC Member, Consultant, Environment, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment
Prof. Devaka Weerakoon - University of Colombo
Dr. Thusitha Sugathapala - Senior Lecture, University of Moratuwa
Dr. Manoj Ranaweera - Senior Lecture, University of Moratuwa
Dr. Kala Peris - Director, CENWOR
Mr. Gamini Senanayake - President, Sustainable Construction and Production Forum
Mr. Ranga Pallewela - CEO, Janakashan GTI
Ms. Voshitha Wijenayake - Executive Director, SLYCAN Trust
Mr. Uchitha De Zoysa* - Executive Director, Center for Environment Development 
Mr. Rajeeva Gunasekera - Board Member, Sri Lanka Evaluation Association
Mr. F.X.R Pereira - Board Member, Sri Lanka Evaluation Association
Mr. Lasantha Perera - Senior Manager, World Vision Sri Lanka
Mr. Namiz Musafer - Director, IDEA Kandy
Mr. Nimal Perera - Director, Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association
Mr. I Weganthalawatte* - Manager, Center for Evaluation, Faculty of Medical Sciences, USJP
Mr. H K B Herath - Advisor Education, Plan International
Mr. Ananda Jayaweera - Consultant, Water Environment and Sanitation Specialist 
Mr. H Liyanaarachchi - Consultant, Banking Studies
Ms. Vishaka Tilakarathne - Consultant (Nutrition & Food Security), Nutrition Society 
Ms. Isha Wedisingha - Independent Evaluator and Programme Management Consultant
Mr. Sanjeewa Rodrigo - Treasurer, Sri Lanka Evaluation Association
Ms. S Wickramasinghe - Journalist, Journalist Cooperative society
Mr. Rohana Siriwardhana - Journalist, Journalist Cooperative society
Ms. P Trikawalagoda* - Sri Lanka Evaluation Association
Mr. Lohitha Karunasekara - UN, Sri Lanka
 

Sustainable Development Council 

Dr. Sugath Yalegama - Director General
Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri - Director
Ms. Samanthi Senanayake - Director (Development)
Ms. Nadeeka Amarasinghe - Assistant Director
Ms. Sheron Hewawaduge - Assistant Director
Ms. Sajeewani Perera - Sustainable Development Officer
Ms. Dilini Shashikala - Sustainable Development Officer
Mr. Hasith Sandaruwan - Sustainable Development Officer
Ms. Dilini Maduwanthi - Sustainable Development Officer
Ms. Abirami Vimalathithan - Sustainable Development Officer
Ms. Chamoda Halambaarachchi - Sustainable Development Officer
Ms. Wasana Gamagewatta - Sustainable Development Officer
Mr. Sajitha Perera - Sustainable Development Officer
Ms. Isuru Gomes - Sustainable Development Officer
Ms. Nipuni Senanayake - Sustainable Development Officer
Ms. Maheshika Gurusinghe - Development Officer

* Participated only for the Inaugural Session on 12th March 2020