Exploring shared experiences and impactful connections with AFRIEL
M. A. Ameerun Nisha
Through AFRIEL’s training program, we got a great opportunity to learn practically how to work together with communities, build relationships with people, and deal with social issues together with communities. Now, I understand that I am not alone in society and can act as a person with a strong social circle.
Ananthan Sasikala
I got my national identity card after many years, thanks to the Citizen Watchers in our village. Their help made a big difference, and I am grateful for their support.
Mahinda Deshapriya
Former Chairman of the Election Commission and the Delimitation
Click to read his message for AFRIEL’s 10 years
I have immense pleasure in wishing them the warmest congratulations at the completion of ten years of their establishment of Associate for Friendship and Love (AFRIEL).
The Associate for friendship and Love (AFRIEL) paved the way for the establishment of Volunteer Initiatives for Election Watch (VIEW) in 2013. In the early years, AFRIEL supported election observation organizations such as Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), and People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) as volunteers.
In collaboration with the Department of Elections prior to 2015 and after the formation of the Election Commission in 2015, AFRIEL has been in the forefront of election related activities, creating awareness among the youth and citizens in general in sovereignty, democracy, fundamental rights, universal franchise, empowering youth and women participation in elected bodies of representatives etc., thus making them politically active. AFRIEL and VIEW have been successful in carrying out quite a series of awareness programs on campaign finance, right to information, social justice and equity, participatory democracy, decentralizing of power, on the importance in the conduct of Local and Provincial Council Elections that are long overdue.
AFRIEL lobbied in collaboration with the then Department of Elections and the Election Commission for inclusion of all who attain 18 years of age, in the electoral register. By August, 2016, AFRIEL lodged a complaint at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka in order to ensure the voting rights of 18+ youth voters. On the International Day of Youth in August 2019, AFRIEL organized a Youth parade and came in a procession to the Election Secretariat to hand over a memorandum to the Election Commission on the importance of inclusion of 18+ youth in electoral roll. This was very much supportive in passing the law in 2021 in relevance to registering by enabling the 18+ youth be included in the supplementary register of voters.
Alongside the citizen reporting concept, AFRIEL also devised strategies to activate political mechanisms for preventing election violations for the conduct of free and fair elections through its network of thousands of volunteer citizen reporters. As a result of its dedication and commitment, VIEW has been an accredited election observer organization of the Election Commission effective from 2023.
AFRIEL’s multifaceted approaches to youth and citizen empowerment stand as testament to the organization’s commitment to justice, equality, and social change. AFRIEL’s initiatives demonstrate the transformative potential of youth-led movements in building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.
As these efforts continue to gain momentum, AFRIEL and VIEW inspire a new generation to be active participants in shaping a brighter future.
Samithampy Kanusuthan
In the East, we have very few opportunities to learn how to deal with government institutions for day-to-day life issues. A few years ago, I had the chance to join AFRIEL’s training program on human rights and good governance. Over the next two years, we had the opportunity to work on people’s problems, gaining valuable experience. Now, I assist people in finding answers to their problems using laws like the RTI Act, collaborating with institutions such as the police, Land Mediation Board, and Divisional Secretariats. It has become a part of my life.
Anusha Palpita
I am grateful for the continuous support given to the Ministry of Mass Media from 2017 until now in fulfilling the responsibility of actively enforcing the RTI Act assigned to this Ministry. The Ministry of Media hope to continue to work with AFRIEL Youth Network for the active enforcement of the RTI Act.
Justice Upaly Abeyrathne Rtd.
Chairman of the RTI Commission
Click to read his message for AFRIEL’s 10 years
Since the right of access to information was enshrined in Article 14A of the Constitution, there has been significant public and public sector interest in this fundamental right. This increased awareness is due in part to the tremendous efforts of AFRIEL Youth Network, a group that has consistently provided valuable support in educating public sector officials about the right to information in Sri Lanka.
AFRIEL’s contributions have been instrumental in several key initiatives. In 2023, they partnered with the Commission to organize awareness programs for designated and information officers in eight provincial councils. Notably, the AFRIEL Youth Network played a crucial role in publishing a guide on the Information Act for police officers. Additionally, they actively participated in public awareness programs across various locations throughout 2022 and 2023, including Bandarawela, Jaffna, Hambantota, Galle, and Kandy.
Perhaps their most impactful contribution was facilitating a program to inform heads of institutions, designated officers, and information officers of all existing Ministries. This program was particularly successful due to the prevailing national focus on progressive information disclosure at the time.
Looking ahead to 2024, AFRIEL Youth Network’s support remains invaluable. They have already organized awareness programs in selected districts, and their willingness to assign trainee graduates to assist with commission office work is truly commendable.
In these times of constrained government budgets, the work of the RTI Commission has been significantly eased by the dedication and island-wide presence of the AFRIEL Youth Network. We deeply appreciate their contributions to the RTI in Sri Lanka and to the success of the RTI Commission’s programs. We are confident that AFRIEL Youth Network will continue to play a vital role in strengthening the Commission’s mission in the future.
On behalf of the RTI Commission, I join the celebration of AFRIEL Youth Network and extend my heartfelt best wishes to all their dedicated staff.
Dilrukshi Anuruddhika Karunarathne
AFRIEL’s programs gave us an opportunity to talk in depth about the crises that exist in terms of religious issues in a time when people are divided based on race and religion. It was through that process that we got a chance to change our attitudes about other ethnic groups.
M. N. M. Akeel
At a time when racism and religiosity have become common in our country, the national unity of the country should come from the religious leaders themselves. Through AFRIEL’s programs, we had the opportunity to initiate a dialogue about justice and fairness for all.
Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe
Thank you for presenting me with this report (AFRIEL’s proposal on constitutional reform). We are presently gathering public opinions on the proposed constitution and are prepared to conduct a debate in the coming week regarding the ongoing process of drafting the constitution. Following the debate, we will utilize the report provided today, which includes comments on the constitution from the public. (20 October 2017, Janayugaya Newspaper, Page 12)
Tharsika Arulnayagam
Together with AFRIEL, we, Voice of Rights, created extensive conversations on social media about how to stop bribery and corruption among the public, and later we got the opportunity to directly engage with the government institutions in our province about how to stop bribery and corruption within those institutions. I am very happy about the measures taken to prevent bribery and corruption in those institutions. We have seen how those institutions inform citizens not to be part of corruption, and positive changes are noticeable within the institutions.
Sri Lankabhimanya Karu Jayasuriya
Former Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice
Click to read his message for AFRIEL’s 10 years
My heartiest congratulations to AFRIEL Youth Network on their splendid decade of illuminating the path of change and showcasing the power of diversity. You have proven that even the smallest sparks can ignite a revolution!
I commend your immense work in gathering and amplifying voices from the grassroots to forge sustainable policies for our beloved Sri Lanka, cherishing the rich tapestry of its diversity.
Furthermore, AFRIEL’s pioneering efforts included organizing the first-ever “Presidential Debate” in Sri Lanka, bringing candidates together on a unified platform. By introducing innovative concepts like citizen reporting on election law violations, AFRIEL has undeniably steered the country’s political culture in a progressive direction.
I offer my heartfelt blessings as you continue to challenge the status quo and build a brighter future for all. May your journey be ever-inspiring and your impact ever-lasting!
Karpaiya Arjuna
The southern politicians have created fear among the Sinhalese people about many issues after the war. AFRIEL created an opportunity for us to have conversations with religious leaders. Through those conversations, we were able to increase the support from the South to find solutions to humanitarian issues.
Sundaralingam Kandeepan
We were able to empower many people to secure their land rights by raising their voices and demanding the release of the Vavniya Cultural Hall, Omanthai checkpoint lands, and lands in Iranamadu, Paravipanjan, Iyakachchi, and Kankesanturai. I have learned how to assert our rights through peaceful means from every program I have been involved in with AFRIEL.
Krishnagobal Vasantharupan
Five years ago, I was selected among the activists recommended by AFRIEL for the Land Mediation Boards. For the past five years, I have served as a land mediator, providing solutions to the land problems of thousands of people by facilitating mediation between the government and the people. Thank you, AFRIEL, for guiding the process that laid the foundation for it, feeding us with knowledge, and strengthening us with social values.
A. Shanmugam
From 2014 to 2018, we had to fight alongside the AFRIEL organization to secure our housing and land rights. We encountered various problems during this period. When our rights were violated, we sought justice by approaching the police, the Human Rights Commission, and the courts, guided and supported by the young people from AFRIEL. The influence through the use of the Information Act allowed us to successfully address the housing problem in the village.
Vimukthi Dushantha
Journalist and Civil Society Activist
Click to read his message for AFRIEL’s 10 years
AFRIEL Youth Network, which instilled hope in the youth to stand for the values of democracy, justice and empowerment, has proved that even the voice of an underprivileged community can contribute to the journey of changing the country.
We take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the unwavering support given to us by AFRIEL Youth Network in building the People’s Movement for Democratic Reforms (PMDR). Also, your commitment to mobilizing the youth, your unwavering advocacy and your tireless efforts for accountability have been instrumental in our journey.
As AFRIEL Youth Network celebrates its decade of pride, we as the People’s Movement for Democratic Reforms are with you not only as a comrade in arms, but as another brotherly guide on the path to create a better Sri Lanka.
Chanuka Kumarasiri
AFRIEL has played an important role in providing us, the youth, with opportunities to actively intervene and contribute towards building a corruption-free country. As young people, we did not think that we had the strength to promote a corruption-free environment until we directly went to government institutions together, had direct conversations with officials, and learned new strategies helpful for fighting against corruption.
Palitha Lihiniyakumara
I recognize AFRIEL as an organization that has practically and actively socialized the RTI Act in Sri Lanka, although the RTI Act was brought by the Government, the role played by AFRIEL to actively implement it in the government machinery and to enable the public to use it is huge. That is why we are working together with AFRIEL to strengthen the Janasabha concept, socialize the concept and implement the concept through government mechanisms and are achieving good results.
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