Here are some of the major initiatives introduced by Mankind Sweden (N.G.O.) to Sri Lanka over the years that, unfortunately, did not achieve their intended outcomes:

1.During Sri Lanka's internal civil war, Mankind Sweden proposed an educational project aimed at supporting 3,000 Sri Lankans annually for 3 years who were affected by the conflict, with a focus on individuals from both sides. The project secured a pledge from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) to cover 80% of its costs for three years.

While the Sri Lankan government welcomed and supported the initiative, the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) did not respond to the proposal. This lack of engagement from one side led to the suspension of the project.

This outcome underscores the difficulties of executing conflict-resolution and humanitarian projects in the midst of divided stakeholders. The initiative had the potential to foster reconciliation and provide substantial support to those affected by the war. However, without the full cooperation of all parties, the project’s potential impact was limited, and it had to be discontinued.

2. In September 2014, Mankind Sweden (N.G.O.) introduced a concept to promote Sri Lankan manufactured goods by providing them with a unique opportunity to access the Scandinavian market. We temporarily secured a 1,535 sq. meter showroom and storage space in Töcksfors, Sweden, just five minutes from the Norwegian border. This initiative aimed to help Sri Lankan manufacturers showcase and sell their products in the Scandinavian region.

To facilitate this project, we reached out to the Sri Lankan ambassador in Stockholm and presented the proposal with the support of a Swedish company. The goal was to connect Sri Lankan manufacturers with buyers in Scandinavia through a local marketing company that would assist with sales on a joint venture basis.

The case was forwarded to the First Secretary of the Commercial Division at the Sri Lankan Embassy, and we engaged in correspondence regarding the initiative. However, despite our efforts, no Sri Lankan manufacturing companies expressed interest at the time. After waiting for four months without securing participants, we had to return the showroom and storage space to the property owners.

This was a missed opportunity for Sri Lankan manufacturers to establish a presence in the Scandinavian market, which could have opened doors to significant business growth and international exposure. The project’s outcome underscores the importance of proactive participation and timely decision-making in seizing global opportunities.

3. When Sri Lanka's economy began to collapse, the poor and vulnerable were hit the hardest. In response, we launched a fundraising initiative to support the citizens of Sri Lanka. To ensure transparency and accountability, we collaborated with the Lions Club of Kelaniya to establish a payment gateway system for the project. The Lions Club was instrumental in setting up a banking mechanism that allowed donors to contribute securely and monitor the proper use of funds for their intended purposes.

Our efforts focused on engaging foreign mega-business ventures with a history of success. We received positive responses from several potential supporters, but they raised two major concerns before committing to the project:

1. Transparency in Fund Utilization:
   They wanted assurance that the foreign currency donations, which would be directed to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, would not be subject to corruption. They also sought clarity on how these funds would be utilized. Unfortunately, given the lack of accountability in previous governments, we were unable to provide such guarantees at the time.

2. Local and Diaspora Participation:
   They wanted to see significant support from Sri Lankans, both within the country and in the diaspora, as well as from well-wishers. Their involvement would signal confidence in the initiative and encourage foreign donors to contribute. However, at that time, many Sri Lankans and diaspora members were unwilling to support any project that involved payments to Sri Lanka. Their frustration stemmed from widespread anger over the country's political leaders, whose corruption and mismanagement had led to the nation's bankruptcy and the collapse of its economy.

This experience highlighted the critical need for rebuilding trust among citizens, the diaspora, and the international community. Without transparency, accountability, and widespread participation, even the most well-intentioned initiatives face significant obstacles.

 INTRODUCTION

Democracy is not a state, it is an act. it is an ongoing act of participation and commitment. It is never guaranteed to any nation unless its people are willing to fight for it. In Sri Lanka, fear has discouraged the majority of citizens from engaging in politics, contributing to the erosion of democracy. This lack of involvement, along with the unwillingness to cooperate with and guide leaders, has deepened divisions within the democratic system.

We place our trust in the people of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan diaspora, and well-wishers to help bring our vision to life. By introducing and promoting Mankind Sweden (NGO) to as many potential supporters as possible, you can play a crucial role in spreading awareness and advancing this important initiative. Together, by working hand in hand with the President of Sri Lanka and his government, we can restore and strengthen democracy while also helping Sri Lanka overcome its current economic crisis.

A little bit of Sri Lankan history

Sri Lanka has long been referred to as a Paradise island on Earth in the past. The people of Sri Lanka have set an example to many progressive nations by electing the world’s first-ever women prime minister, Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike, which shows a deep sense of their equality, opportunity and democratic nature. For the welfare of such stature, it comes as a bit of surprise and disappointment that a civil conflict occurred which lasted for almost three decades in Sri Lanka. The world has witnessed one of the bloodiest and most brutal human rights violations in this country.

It all started when the internal war broke up in Sri Lanka in 1983 and lasted for almost three decades has thrown the country into deep turmoil and now faces a daunting task to save itself from succumbing to the aforementioned crisis.

Sri Lanka has seen bloodshed and economical damage which has set the country on a back foot in terms of progression, both socially and economically. The Sri Lankan government finally put an end to the internal war in Sri Lanka in May 2009. Reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction programs have started since then and not forget the recent Easter Sunday terror attacks in April 2019 in churches and hotels in Sri Lanka had paid heavy losses of human lives and destroyed the country's economy very badly.

This great tragedy could have been avoided had the good people raised their voices and create the required awareness among the citizens of Sri Lanka against the civil outburst. Instead, their silence has paved the way for evil people to press their forces, causing chaos among the people and eventually leading to this unfortunate situation that changed the course of the nation’s progress. The aftermath of this civil outburst and internal war is the silence of these citizens against the wrongdoings of the bureaucracy and themselves alike.

At the time of civil outbursts and internal war, none could have estimated this level of destruction. And for this reason, we need to encourage the people of Sri Lanka to raise their voices in favour of the overall development of the nation instead of silent gestures toward the destructive forces that proved so costly. This is the grass-root foundation of democracy: OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people as phrased by Abraham Lincoln.

The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

CONTENT

We at Mankind Sweden (N.G.O) are deeply passionate about the Sri Lankan diaspora, viewing them as a tremendous national asset rather than a loss of contributors.

Emigration has historically been a centrifugal force, dispersing people across the globe. However, the diaspora now serves as a convergent force, reconnecting individuals with their homeland.

We firmly believe that a passionate and loyal diaspora is vital for a country’s stability and success. The contributions of the diaspora extend across three critical areas: the flow of people, the flow of financial resources, and the flow of knowledge. Every country has access to these resources to varying degrees, and Sri Lanka is no exception.

The best hope for Sri Lanka lies in the active involvement of the Sri Lankan diaspora and other well-wishers. Their support is especially crucial for stabilizing the economy in the wake of the challenges posed by the Internal civil war, Tsunami, Easter sunday bomb blast and then the COVID-19 pandemic.

This endeavor is driven by emotion, visions, and dreams. To succeed, we must first dream and then act strategically. At Mankind Sweden (N.G.O), we recognize that while this work can be challenging, creating tensions or contradictions, it is non-competitive and essential. It thrives on ideas, creativity, talent, and innovation—qualities inherent in people who cross borders. Therefore, it is critical to develop strategies, policies, programs, and projects to connect with the diaspora and harness their potential. Without immediate action, we risk losing this extraordinary opportunity.

Sri Lanka, an island nation covering 65,610 square kilometers with a population of approximately 22 million, has a diaspora representing 15% - 20% of its population. If engaged effectively, the diaspora can become a valuable national resource.

To build trust and unity among Sri Lankans worldwide, we propose organizing exceptional events in music, heritage, sports, and culture. These events, part of what we call the "Magic of Diaspora" project, can strengthen the bonds among Sri Lankans and foster a sense of shared identity.

In today’s interconnected world, the true measure of power is connectedness. The information age has made knowledge and resources accessible at the flick of a switch, and we must use this advantage to promote equality, end discrimination and racism, and emphasize kindness, generosity, and empathy. Our shared humanity far outweighs differences in language, religion, or ethnicity.

Inaction allows individuals with personal political agendas to mislead the government. We, at Mankind Sweden (N.G.O), stand ready to work alongside the President of Sri Lanka, the government, and all political parties to achieve unity, prosperity, hope, and lasting peace for Sri Lanka.