As part of the Solidarity for Land initiative, AHAM Humanitarian Resource Center (AHRC) and the People’s Collective for Climate Justice (PCCJ) continued their efforts to strengthen land governance, promote awareness of land rights, and improve public service delivery through capacity-building programmes for government officials in the Eastern Province.

Training for Government Officials in Trincomalee District – 10 January 2026

A training workshop on Land Rights Laws, Good Governance, and Public Service Delivery was successfully conducted in Trincomalee District on 10 January 2026, bringing together government officials responsible for land administration and public services.

The programme was attended by Land Division officers from the Divisional Secretariats and Local Authorities representing the Mutur, Verugal, and Kuchchaveli Divisional Secretariat divisions. The participation of officials directly involved in land-related administration provided an important opportunity to strengthen their understanding of land rights and improve the delivery of services to communities affected by land-related issues.

The training was jointly organized by AHRC and PCCJ, in collaboration with the Trincomalee Regional Office of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission. The programme focused on strengthening the capacity of government service providers to understand and apply land rights laws, promote good governance, and ensure more effective and responsive public service delivery.

The session was facilitated by Mr. Isadeen, Regional Coordinator of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, whose contribution helped provide participants with practical guidance and insights relevant to their responsibilities. The Divisional Secretary of Mutur also participated in the programme and shared valuable guidance and perspectives.

The active participation of government officials highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional understanding of land rights and ensuring that communities can access government services in a fair, transparent, and effective manner.

Training for Government Officials in Batticaloa District – 14 January 2026

Following the Trincomalee programme, a similar capacity-building workshop was conducted in Batticaloa District on 14 January 2026, further expanding the initiative's engagement with government officials working in areas affected by land disputes.

The training focused on Land Rights Laws, Good Governance, and Public Service Delivery, with participation from Land Division officers of Divisional Secretariats in several areas of Batticaloa District, including Koralai Pattu North (Vakarai), Eravur Pattu (Chenkalady), Koralai Pattu South, and Koralai Pattu (Valachchenai).

In addition to Land Division officers, Grama Niladharis serving in villages where land disputes exist also participated in the training. Their involvement was particularly significant, given their close engagement with communities and their role in providing essential government services at the local level.

The workshop was jointly organized by PCCJ and AHRC under the broader Solidarity for Land initiative. The programme provided an opportunity for government officials to strengthen their knowledge of land rights, good governance principles, and effective public service delivery, while also increasing awareness of the challenges faced by communities experiencing land-related disputes.

The participation of officials from several Divisional Secretariat areas demonstrated the importance of building a common understanding among public service providers across the district. Strengthening the capacity of officials at both divisional and community levels can contribute to more effective responses to land-related concerns and improved access to public services for affected communities.

AHRC and PCCJ expressed their sincere appreciation to all government officials who participated in the Batticaloa training and contributed to the programme.

Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Land Rights

The two training programmes conducted in Trincomalee and Batticaloa represent an important component of the Solidarity for Land initiative's broader efforts to promote land rights and strengthen community and institutional capacity in the Eastern Province.

By engaging directly with government officials responsible for land administration and community-level public services, the initiative seeks to encourage greater awareness of land rights, good governance, accountability, and people-centred service delivery. The participation of Land Division officers, Local Authority officials, and Grama Niladharis also creates opportunities to strengthen communication between government institutions and communities affected by land disputes.

These programmes recognize that addressing land-related challenges requires not only empowering affected communities with knowledge of their rights, but also strengthening the capacity of public institutions and officials responsible for administering land and delivering services.

Through continued collaboration among AHRC, PCCJ, the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, government institutions, and affected communities, such capacity-building initiatives can contribute to more transparent, responsive, and rights-based approaches to land governance in the Eastern Province.

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