The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) developed a video (in Sinhala, Tamil and English) on the importance of improving Human Security in post-war Sri Lanka. The improvement of human security will bring many benefits to the nation particularly the development of the socio-economic, political and environmental sectors.

English Version
Sinhala Version

Tamil Version
The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) continues to be engaged with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation on modernization of Sri Lanka's public transport sector and link Colombo - Katunayake Railway line to the Airport. Recent communications the FDD received recently from the Ministry on these important subject matters.


The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) welcomes yesterday's Supreme Court rule that the State and its agencies violated the fundamental right to equality guaranteed by the Constitution to persons with disabilities for the breach and failure to comply with the provisions of disabled persons (accessibility) regulations.
The Supreme Court also referred to the UN Disability Convention (CRPD) during the Court deliberation. Unfortunately Sri Lanka is still failing to have local regulations to implement the Convention in the country. The FDD continues it's advocacy on the matter with the Government and further it will mobilize relevant ministries and Government agencies mainly the ministries of Transport & Aviation, Highways, Housing & Cultural Affairs and others, Colombo Municipal Council to make the city of Colombo a model accessible city as its first step towards Sri Lanka becoming an accessible country. 

FDD press release on the Easter Sunday attacks continues to be published in the mainstream media of the country- http://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Amend-legislature:-FDD/131-167075

FDD shall keep on advocating for the amendment of archaic legislature, to provide for better law enforcement in the country.

 English Version


Sinhala Version



Tamil Version



Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines (SLCBL) says Sri Lanka is on a pathway to becoming a mine-free nation. This article appeared in today's Dinamina newspaper. 
Read the full article here- Sri Lanka on its pathway to being a mine free nation
The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) continues discussion with the Government on modernizing the public transport sector of Sri Lanka. This evening the FDD had an another round of meetings with officials of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. It has discussed linking the Colombo-Katunayake Railway to the Airport and the importance of having electric hydraulic buses with disable accessibility for the public transport.
Further we discussed the possibility to have CCTV cameras (one near the driver's seat) starting with long-distance buses and well-disciplined drivers and conductors service is expected. We are happy about the decision taken to ban loud music on the buses. No doubt that having comfortable public transport will improve the nation's human security, ease many environmental issues and bring other benefits.


Another reaching out on regional advocacy by the Forum on Disarmament and Development's (FDD). This morning FDD met the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Sri Lanka Riza Hamidullah and discussed the importance of Bangladesh ratifying the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), Nuclear Ban Treaty (NBT) and acceding to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) this year. Bangladesh is already a signatory to both the ATT and NBT.
The FDD would like to see Bangladesh acceding to the CCM during Sri Lanka's Presidency of the 6th Meeting of the State Parties to the CCM this year. The FDD will continually engage with Bangladesh on this important advocacy work.



Today is the International Day for the Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines (SLCBL) Youth Coordinator Nillasi Liyanage has written an important article on "Women in the Context of Post-war Sri Lanka's Mine Action" which appeared in print and web media today.
Women contribute immensely to post-war Sri Lanka's mine action. This will help Sri Lanka to achieve a mine-free status well before the global mine-clearance deadline of 2025. 


Today's Daily Mirror newspaper carries an article on CITES CoP18. This article has refereed to the FDD publication on "The CITES and Sri Lanka."
Read the full article through this link- Conference of Parties (CoP) CITES confab from May 23 to June 3 at BMICH
This week the Coordinator of the Sri Lanka Campaign to Stop Killer Robots Yanitra Kumaraguru is taking part in the Global Meeting of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots in Berlin Germany. Today Yanitra was on a panel which discussed about national and regional work to prohibit Killer Robots and she spoke for the Asia Pacific region.
The FDD received letters from the President's Office and the Ministry of Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government on the letter FDD sent to the President and the Government (including this ministry) on requesting the ban the use of plastic and polythene within the Government institutes before the CITES CoP18 this year in Sri Lanka.
The letters were copied to the FDD and the President's Office requested the Ministry of Environment to act on the matter and the Ministry has requested all Provincial Secretaries to make necessary arrangements to ban the use of plastic and polythene within the Government institutes before the CITES CoP18 May this year. The FDD will monitor the progress on this important matter. 

Today Sri Lanka launched the National Mine Action Strategy 2016-2020.
During the Strategy launched the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining - GICHD and Development Partners Secretariat acknowledged the Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines (SLCBL) tireless advocacy work on advocating the GoSL on the ratification of the UN Disability Rights Convention (UNCRPD) in 2016, accession to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in 2017 and The Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2018.
The SLCBL will continue to advocate and monitor the GoSL on the implementation of these conventions in Sri Lanka.
Not all heroes wear capes, some wear safety gear!

On this Women's Day, a shout out to the amazing Women Deminers of Sri Lanka. They make their families stable, communities safer and the country proud. And smile through the constant risk.
Post created by Nillasi Liyanage Youth Coordinator, Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines (SLCBL).