IHR was requested by the Sri Lanka Army to conduct one day lectures on Conflict Resolution at the above training programme at the International Peace Support Operation Training Sri Lanka at Kukulegaga on 25th August 2011.

24 Senior Non Commissioned Officers participated at this training programme. The lectures were conduct in Sinhala medium. The resource person was Ms. Tahirih Q Ayn – Director of Institute of Human Rights. Ms. Unita was the coordinator for the workshop.

$ 300, Sponsored by “School children from Boston” who saved their pocket money to assist children in the North with school materials. (Referred by UNICEF)

IHR Coordinated with the IHR Jaffna Branch/ Serendip Children’s Home and purchased 33 pairs of shoes from Baba trade Center, Jaffna for Rs.28,367 which was distributed to 33 School going children of Serendip Children’s Home in Urumbirai, Jaffna, where the home had organized a special occasion for children’s sponsorships.

Assistance provided for the “Catch up Education Project” at IHR – Jaffna branch -in URELU

The Boston kids saved their pocket money to assist children from the North with educational material.

As a sub activity the students attending the catch up education classes at IHR – Jaffna Branch were provided with 122 exercise books(120 pages) , 33 pens and 16 pencils and 16 erasers worth Rs. 3000/-, for 30 students.

Assisted a widow (a client of IHR-Jaffna branch) with five children

Assisted with the following items amounting to Rs.3000/-. Uniform material, 1 School bag, banions , books, exercise books

Introducing the pilot project on Community Based Correction for Juveniles

Family Group Counseling Training
Main objective was to introduce the Family Group Conferencing (FGC) as a tool, to be used for Community based correction for juveniles. This 02 day program was conducted by Ms.Nayomi Kannangara on 10th & 11th January 2011.

Guide Line Development Training
A workshop was organized and held on the 31st January 2011 for Preparing guidelines for the Community Based Correction of juveniles and introducing the project to stake holders. Resource person was Dr. Manoj Fernando
All the programs were held at Rural Development and Research Centre, Colombo 08.

Child Support Counselling Program
A workshop was organized and held at Global Towers Hotel, Colombo 06 on the 06th & 07th May 2011 on Child Support Counseling for the Community Based Correction (for Juveniles) stakeholders included ; 03 from Community based correction dept., Community based correction Officers -5, Community leaders from Kolonnawa-2 , Angoda-1, Wellampitiya-1 : 4, Police Officers: 10 (Dematagoda-1,Kirullapona-1,Maligawatta -1,Keselwatta-1 ,Grandpass-1, Modara-1 ,Borella-1, Kotahena -1,Dam Street 1, Narahenpita-1, Navodaya- Dept. of Social services-1 ,Career guidance -1, Vocational training Center-Kolonnawa-1, Sidhartha Child Development Foundation –2 and Save the Children –1.
Resource persons were Mr. W. D. S. Amarabandu , Mr. Ruwan Pattiyagodage Lecturers – National Institute of Social Development – NISD), Mr. Duminda Guruge (Lecturer – Rajarata University).

Legal Training
A Legal Training on laws related to juvenile and regarding the juvenile justice system was given to Community Correction Officers and Police Officers who will be going to work in juveniles Community Based Correction. The workshop was held on the 09th July 2011 at Rural Development and Research Centre, Borella. Resource person was Mr. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law (practicing lawyer/ Consultant for Probation Department)

Family Support Counselling Program
A workshop was organized and held at Rural Development and Research Centre, Borella on the 05th & 06th August on Family Support Counseling for the Community Based Correction (for Juveniles) stake holders who included ; Community Correction officers, Community leaders, Police Officers, Officer from Navoday – Department of Social Services, Officers from Career Guidance – Ministry of Productivity, Officer from Vocational Training Centre – Kollonawa, Officers from Sidhartha Child Development Foundation and Save the Children
Resource persons were Ms. Kanthi Hettigoda, Senior Counsellor & Senior Lecturer at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Dr. Mahesh Rajauriya, Psychiatric & Senior Lecturer of Faculty of Medicine, Mr. Duminda Guruge (Lecturer – Rajarata University).

Project funded by UNDP (United Nation Development Project) Equal Access to Justice Project

Selecting participants :
Criteria of selecting participants was convicted persons at the Center for at least 8-12 months with the required literacy levels, mathematical knowledge and education up to O/level and A/level as the participants need the knowledge to follow this course in order for NAITA to provide a curriculum which will be valid, for and promising participants to be given a certificate by NAITA -NVQ-level 3, which is recognized to find jobs on completion of this course and to motivate participation.

Selecting the lecturers from UVA :
Lecturer’s recommended by the NAITA were identified.

Venue of the Course :
On May 2010 an abandoned building which required clean up and painting was identified as the new venue near the hospital room. We purchased 5kgs of lime to be painted by the inmates, with Wall Fans and Tube Lights to fix .

Orientation Program:
23 inmates were selected by the Thaldena Welfare Officer and they were interviewed individually by 3 representatives of IHR and NAITA on May 24th 2010. An orientation program for the selected 23 inmates was held on that day to inform and motivate the inmates regarding the Motor mechanic Course.

Tools, material and engines for the course:
Tools worth of Rs.1.1 million & Other items (Steel Cupboards, Stationery Items, White Boards, etc.) purchased of Rs.100,000/- was distributed on 24th & 25th January 2011

Engines were purchased and delivered to the Motor mechanic class.
The tools will be used to teach practical and will be kept at the correctional center for the continuation of the Motor Mechanic Course in the future.

2nd batch of convicted detainees enrolled on March 16th 2011. 23 participants were interviewed and enrolled based on the criteria of at least being in the center for one year. They have commenced classes on theory & Practicals in motor mechanism.

In the month of May 10th & 11th 2011 a progress review monitoring visit was made. The balance tools purchased was handed over to them.

The 1st group participants were demonstrators for the second group, which was happy to note.

Topics covered in the Course : (Practical & Theory)

• Safety
• First Aid
• Measuring Metric System (m, cm, mm, Feet, Inches, km, miles)
• Toque Wrench
• Vernear Caliper
• Measuring Vernear Caliper
• Rear Axle unit
• Removing the length of spring
• Engine and A/C unit Radiator
• Removing the engine
• Gear Box Unit
• Break System
• Four stoke Diesel engine
• Functions of a clutch
• Air Cleaners and distributor Practical & etc…