Promote cultural value of Tamil community through using existing traditional celebrations

Introduction

‘Tamil’ means ‘sweetness’ and ‘Culture’ has been defined as ‘sweetness and light’. ‘Tamil’ and ‘Culture’, therefore, make a most graceful combination both in Language and Life. Culture has been defined as a ‘way of life’, as ‘sweetness and light’, as ‘activity of thought and receptiveness to beauty and humane feeling’. These brief definitions are sufficient to show the comprehensiveness and the indispensability of culture, for one must have a way of life, and that way of life should be combined with sweetness and light, with activity of thought, and with beauty and humane feeling.

Tamil Culture is nothing else but the Tamil way of life, a pattern of gracious living that has been formed during the centuries of Tamil history. It has been conditioned by the land, the climate, the language, the literature, the religions, the customs, the laws, the food, the games and toys of the Tamil people, by the palmyra palm, the gingelly oil, and the vegetables associated with them. Culture is a most elusive and at the same time an all-embracing term.

Sri Lankan Women on Small and Medium Enterprises: Why so few and how to have more.

Sri Lankan Women SMEs trend

Female participation in the labour force at 40% is significantly lower than for men (75%) in Sri Lanka, Also unemployment rates are significantly higher for women. There

is also a large gender gap in the share of women who are unpaid family workers, who account for 20.4% of women compared to 3% of men.

In Sri Lanka SMEs contribute about 45% of its gross domestic product and provide about half of the country’s jobs. Yet, among SMEs, only 25% of entrepreneurs are women. Their lower capacity contributes to a $350 million gender credit gap, according to the ADB. Capitalising on entrepreneurship to economically empower women and generate inclusive growth in Sri Lanka will require reducing various bottlenecks, especially access to finance.

Promote the skills capacity of youth toward employment opportunities

Introduction

Youth unemployment remains a critical issue for policy makers, youth and their families in Sri Lanka. Unemployment rates in the age group 15-19 years was 20% in 2010 and in the 20-24 age group, 19%. Female unemployment in this age group is also higher than male unemployment

Problem: Sri Lanka has long been regarded as a model of a successful welfare state, yet it has for decades faced major challenges in providing employment and meeting the aspirations of youth. We have identified some specific problems are given bellow,

• Inaccessibility of quality education and training 

• Social exclusion and marginalization

• Poor health condition and well being 

• Lack of skill and vocational training capacity

Career awareness aims to prepare unemployment youth for future ready workforce.

Career fair events are highly popular in the eyes of both employers and potential job seekers. To support the recruitment, application, and networking process, career fairs and training expos are held all over the world in various locations. This is a resourceful way to meet the needs of both employers and potential job seekers. Employers meet, inform and interview hundreds of potential applicants, while job seekers get the chance to ask questions, talk up their skills and make important connections.

Increase the tourism workforce competitiveness

The tourism and hospitality industry is one of the largest and most dynamic industries in today’s global economy. In Sri Lanka, it is expected to generate about 11 per cent of total GDP and provide more than 0.5 million direct and indirect job opportunities in 2020, now representing over 10 per cent of total employment.

Youth especially in the North & Eastern Region are to be supported to link up tourism training programmes on offer so that they equip themselves with the skills required to compete in the tourism job market. Therefore, the government tends to start Tourism Career Awareness Program to develop their employment opportunities in tourism businesses and make use of business development service on offer.

Empowering Minds: SLAAAA's Support Transforms Thirukonamadu Muslim School Reading Room

In a significant gesture of support, the Sri Lankan and Australian Awarded Alumni Association Association (SLAAAA) has made a noteworthy impact on Thirukonamadu Muslim School in the Polonnaruwa district. The association has generously contributed several books and furniture to enhance the college's reading room, responding to the specific needs of the students studying at this institution.

The event, which took place amidst customs and traditions, saw the active participation of high-ranking members of the organization, including its president and secretary. On the 4th of November 2018, they officially handed over the newly equipped reading hall to the principal, teachers, and students.

This initiative goes beyond the immediate contribution of books and furniture; it signifies a commitment to education and community development. SLAAAA members believed such programs should extend beyond Thirukonamadu Muslim Computer College to all needy places. The books provided are not mere study materials but tools to mould students into responsible citizens. The organization emphasizes that the cycle of poverty, unemployment, and criminal activities can be broken through education.

Motivating Young People to Pursue the Professions of the Future in Sri Lanka.

Generally youths are the backbone of a society. Youth’s participation in all aspects of society is very important at any time. Unfortunately as we see that Sri Lankan youth generation both male and female face a state of deprivation. They have no or limited role in decision making process or leadership programs at the local and national level. So isolation of youths either intentionally or unintentionally can lead them to drug abuse, illegal and criminal actions, depression, migration and so on, while youths are the potential group and actor for structuring future of Afghanistan.

This project is designed to provide career motivation, career opportunities, gender awareness, leadership, and advocacy, trainings directly benefitting youths and advocates media campaigns through Radios, Printed Media, and Boards. This media campaign will reach to almost all youth generation in the target area and raise awareness about their active role in civil society and policy initiatives.