Response to the Tsunami

Four mobile services in the four most affected DS divisions in the Hambantota District to assist survivors of the tsunami disaster to obtain legal documentation such as National Identity cards, Birth/ marriage certificates, educational certificates, driving licenses etc. that have been destroyed and also to provide free legal aid and other related services were conducted on the 12th and 13th of February 2005.

Another program of large-scale mobile camps to assist tsunami survivors to obtain legal documentation was held in the Ampara District from 18th - 20th March 2005. Four locations in the four most affected DS divisions that have a high percentage of the Tamil and Muslim communities were selected to conduct the camps, they were:

• Kalmunai (Tamil)
• Kalmunai (Muslim)
• Sainthamaruthu
• Karativu

Activities Organized by Implementing Partners under the Project

Human Rights Day programs in all three languages were conducted on the theme "Human Rights: Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lanka".

The Bill of Human Rights and the Rights of Differently Abled Act No. 28 of 1996 were translated to Braille Sinhala and Braille Tamil and distributed among the needy.

Legal Aid Commission (LAC)

The Human Rights Bureau under the flagship of the Legal Aid Commission became active due to the assistance and financial support given by the project.

Sarvodaya Legal Services Movement (SLSM)

The SLSM also prepared and published a handbook on the procedure in obtaining public documents.

Judicial Officers

The Annual Judges Conference organized by the Judicial Service Association was funded under the project.

Looking Ahead

Activities have been implemented both at the national level as well as the regional level with a view to achieving the outcomes of the project. Many more activities are planned for implementation in the near future. There are five expected outcomes of the project namely:

• Increase in number and diversity of persons receiving effective legal services
• Increase in number and diversity of persons receiving information on their rights and duties
• Decrease barriers to accessing the legal system
• Increase in number and diversity of persons receiving community level Alternative Dispute Resolution services
• Human Rights better promoted and effectively protected