DFAT's Direct Aid Program (Australian Aid)

Improving the Health Security Among the Shanty Dwellers

Mobile Clinics & Medical Outreach Districts
All Districts 📍 Mattakkuliya 📍 Pichamalwatte 📍 Sri Wickramapura 📍 Samitpura 📍 Kadiranawatte 📍 Colombo
6 Active Areas
Districts Active
17 Clinics
Medical Camps Held
529 Direct
Patients Screened
323 Patients
Medicines Dispensed
Diabetes Clinic-Clombo
Sri Lanka 1 / 5
Health & Awareness • October 2026

Diabetes Clinic-Clombo

Grassroots Leadership & Dialogue Workshop
Jaffna 2 / 5
Community Forum • March 2026

Grassroots Leadership & Dialogue Workshop

Facilitators and grassroots civil leaders gathered to conduct collaborative regional workshops.

District Multi-Ethnic Youth Peace Academy
Trincomalee 3 / 5
Youth Peace • February 2026

District Multi-Ethnic Youth Peace Academy

Youth ambassadors from diverse backgrounds engaged in non-violent communication & social cohesion.

Field Consultation & Community Resource Mobilization
Batticaloa 4 / 5
Field Outreach • January 2026

Field Consultation & Community Resource Mobilization

Direct field consultations held with local women federations and grassroots community committees.

Capacity Building & Civic Awareness Forum
Kandy 5 / 5
Empowerment • December 2025

Capacity Building & Civic Awareness Forum

Hands-on practical training session strengthening collective advocacy and rights defense.

DFAT's Direct Aid Program (Australian Aid) Australian High Commission July 2021 - December 15, 2022 Mattakkuliya, Colombo

Improving the Health Security among the shanty dwellers

Targeted Healthcare Intervention, Free Clinical Support & Nutritional Empowerment in Mattakkuliya Urban Shanty Communities

04
Vigil Groups Formed
60
Active Vigil Members
16
Awareness Programs
17
Free Medical Clinics
88
Organic Cultivators
529
Total Beneficiaries

Program Background & Community Reach

This program was jointly conducted by the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) and the Australian High Commission from July 2021 to December 2022. Financial support was provided through the Australian High Commission under DFAT's Direct Aid Program (Australian Aid). The program ran from July 2021 to December 15, 2022.

The program was implemented in the dense urban communities of Pichamalwatte, Sri Wickramapura, Samitpura, and Kadiranawatte in Mattakkuliya. Initially, 04 Vigil Groups were formed in the above areas comprising 60 active members. Following the introduction of the program, 16 awareness programs were held to educate residents on various health issues and diseases. Furthermore, meetings were held throughout the year to build relationships between Vigil Groups and government officials, Grama Niladharis related to the health sector.

Target Shanty Communities in Mattakkuliya:
Pichamalwatte Sri Wickramapura Samitpura Kadiranawatte 04 Vigil Groups (60 Members)

Community Survey, Clinics & Food Security

A survey was conducted to identify health problems in the area. Among the diseases identified were diabetes, heart disease, vision impairment, skin diseases, and non-communicable diseases. Following the survey, 12 awareness programs and 17 clinics were conducted based on the diseases identified. Blood tests were conducted on patients. Medicines were provided to all patients who attended the clinics.

In addition, an organic agriculture training was conducted. 93 people participated in it. 88 of them planted vegetable plants. The aim was to accustom them to a nutritious diet and sustainable food security.

Targeted Diseases & Interventions:
Heart Disease Diabetes Vision Impairment Skin Diseases Non-Communicable Diseases 93 Trained / 88 Planted Crops

Verified Beneficiaries & Impact Breakdown

Comprehensive community welfare and medical distribution records compiled by CSR Sri Lanka

Beneficiaries as on 3rd December 2022
Community Reach Summary Table 1
Beneficiary Category Total Count
Number of Vigil Group Members
Community health leaders across 4 vigil groups
60
Additional Beneficiaries to Vigil Group Members
Family members, vulnerable residents & clinic attendees
469
TOTAL DIRECT BENEFICIARIES
Verified community impact on December 3, 2022
529
Among the Above Beneficiaries Breakdown of Table 01
People who received medicine 323
People who received spectacles 359
People who tested the blood 169
People engaged in Organic Agriculture 88
People who received surgical lenses 15
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Health & Awareness Highlights

Field Missions & Conducted Event Photos

Photo highlights from recent grassroots initiatives, community dialogues, and workshops conducted across our operating districts.

Diabetes Clinic-Clombo
Sri Lanka Health & Awareness
October 2026

Diabetes Clinic-Clombo

Grassroots Leadership & Dialogue Workshop
Jaffna Community Forum
March 2026

Grassroots Leadership & Dialogue Workshop

Facilitators and grassroots civil leaders gathered to conduct collaborative regional workshops.

District Multi-Ethnic Youth Peace Academy
Trincomalee Youth Peace
February 2026

District Multi-Ethnic Youth Peace Academy

Youth ambassadors from diverse backgrounds engaged in non-violent communication & social cohesion.

Field Consultation & Community Resource Mobilization
Batticaloa Field Outreach
January 2026

Field Consultation & Community Resource Mobilization

Direct field consultations held with local women federations and grassroots community committees.

Capacity Building & Civic Awareness Forum
Kandy Empowerment
December 2025

Capacity Building & Civic Awareness Forum

Hands-on practical training session strengthening collective advocacy and rights defense.

Australian Aid DIRECT AID PROGRAM (DFAT) Australian High Commission, Sri Lanka Project Financial Partner
Official Project Donor & Financial Support

DFAT's Direct Aid Program (Australian Aid)

Australian High Commission

This program was jointly conducted by the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) and the Australian High Commission from July 2021 to December 2022. Financial support was provided through the Australian High Commission under DFAT's Direct Aid Program (Australian Aid).

Official Development Grant • Colombo District Mattakkuliya Outreach

Project Coordinators & Outreach Leadership

Dedicated coordinators and leadership responsible for field execution, partner relations, and medical camps.

Rev. Fr. Rohan Silva, OMI

Rev. Fr. Rohan Silva, OMI

Executive Director / Project Supervisor

Executive leadership, partner liaison with Australian High Commission, and institutional program governance.

Chamari Jayasinghe

Chamari Jayasinghe

Community Health & Field Coordinator

Field execution across 4 Mattakkuliya vigil groups, clinic logistics, blood testing camps, and Grama Niladhari relations.