The Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership (SLPP) successfully conducted a Validation Workshop for the Draft SLPP Localization Model on 29 September 2026 at Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo, bringing together approximately 80 participants representing a broad range of stakeholders.
The workshop brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, technical agencies, subnational and local institutions, academia, media, UN agencies, and other stakeholders, with balanced gender representation. This diverse participation reflected SLPP’s commitment to a multi-stakeholder and inclusive approach to strengthening locally led resilience.
The workshop marked an important step towards strengthening the institutionalization and long-term sustainability of SLPP, while advancing locally led disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience in Sri Lanka. The proposed localization model seeks to connect national policy, technical expertise, and resources with locally led action, while strengthening existing institutions and coordination mechanisms rather than establishing parallel structures.
The programme featured perspectives from the government, civil society, and private sectors, alongside practical experiences from locally led initiatives implemented in Hambantota, Kegalle, and Anuradhapura. These experiences provided valuable insights into the opportunities and practical considerations involved in strengthening local leadership and coordination for disaster resilience.
As part of the workshop, participants engaged in interactive group activities using a “Validate – Revise – Add – Recommend” approach. The discussions examined key elements of the proposed model, including its governance architecture, coordination mechanisms, operational pillars, and monitoring and learning arrangements, while identifying practical gaps and recommendations for further strengthening.
The collective experience and inputs shared by participants will contribute to the refinement and finalization of the SLPP Localization Model. The process represents an important step towards establishing a shared pathway that connects national systems with empowered local actors and communities, supporting more inclusive, locally led, and sustainable resilience-building in Sri Lanka.
