Plan International closing operations in Sri Lanka

Plan International is ceasing its operations in Sri Lanka after nearly four decades of implementing development programmes in the country and supporting hundreds of thousands of children.

The organization?s exit is based on the significant growth in Sri Lanka?s economy and a marked improvement in its Human Development Index ranking, which now ranks Sri Lanka at 71?out of 189 countries.

Plan International has worked?with communities, partners and government agencies in Sri Lanka since 1981.?Over the last 38 years the organization has worked with hundreds of?communities in five?provinces and improved the lives of over 500,000?Sri Lankan girls and boys.

The organization?s work mainly targeted the most vulnerable children and young people, especially girls; and social cohesion, gender equality and diversity are some of the areas with the biggest impact among former conflict-affected communities.

Plan International Sri Lanka?s key areas of work included, providing parents and caregivers the knowledge and skills to support the full development of children under five years, including those with disabilities; helping vulnerable children, especially girls, go to school and get a quality education; strengthening education governance and the existing national education system to ensure long-term change; preventing violence, exploitation and supporting children who are survivors of abuse ? also improving systems and policies on child protection; and helping young people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to be socially active and earn a living.

Plan International?s global strategy mandates to reach communities in desperate need and improve the lives of the most vulnerable children worldwide. Recognizing?the major advances achieved in Sri Lanka in recent years,?Sri Lanka?s country programs came to a close allowing the organization to deploy its resources to countries where the urgency and level of need is?currently?far greater.

Plan International is extremely grateful for the staff, partners, donors, local and national government agencies, communities and children who have all been instrumental in the success of implementing life-changing programs in Sri Lanka.

The organisation is following appropriate procedures for closure of its operations, including adherence to Sri Lankan regulations and labour law requirements; and is also reaching out to donors, sponsored children and their sponsors, as well as programme partners to inform them about the decision.