27 December 2025 | Mutur, Trincomalee District

A training programme on the Right to Information (RTI) Act was successfully conducted for community representatives affected by land grabbing in the Mutur and Verugal areas of Trincomalee District. The programme was held at the Mutur Pradeshiya Sabha Hall, with a total of 55 participants taking part.

The training was organized under the Solidarity for Land Project, jointly implemented by the AHAM Humanitarian Resource Center (AHRC) and the People’s Collective for Climate Justice (PCCJ). The programme formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of communities affected by land-related challenges and to equip them with practical knowledge and tools to advocate for their rights.

Building Knowledge of the Right to Information Act

The training focused on the importance of the Right to Information Act as a mechanism through which communities can access information relevant to issues affecting them.

Participants were provided with detailed explanations on:

• The key provisions and fundamental aspects of the Right to Information Act;
• The legal procedures for requesting information from relevant public authorities; and
• How communities affected by land-related issues can use the RTI mechanism to obtain relevant information and support their efforts to seek solutions and justice.

The session was designed not only to provide theoretical knowledge but also to improve participants' understanding of how the RTI framework can be applied to matters affecting their communities.

Strengthening Community Voices

The participation of civil society activists from Mutur and Verugal added an important community perspective to the training. Activists shared their experiences and provided guidance to community representatives, contributing to greater awareness and strengthening the participants' confidence in engaging with land-related concerns.

For communities affected by land grabbing and other land disputes, access to accurate and relevant information can be an important component of understanding the circumstances surrounding their land and engaging with responsible authorities.

The training therefore provided participants with an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of available information-access mechanisms and to consider how these mechanisms can be used as part of peaceful and informed community advocacy.

Strengthening Capacity Through the Solidarity for Land Project

The programme forms part of the broader Solidarity for Land Project, which seeks to strengthen the capacity of communities affected by land-related challenges and promote greater awareness of land rights.

By combining land rights awareness, access to information, community leadership, and civil society engagement, the initiative supports affected communities in becoming better informed and more capable of articulating their concerns.

The training was successfully conducted by the Training Division of AHRC, with the collaboration of PCCJ.

The participation of 55 community representatives and activists from Mutur and Verugal demonstrates the continuing interest of affected communities in gaining knowledge and strengthening their ability to engage with land-related issues.

Moving Towards Informed Community Action

The RTI training represents another important step in strengthening community-level capacity under the Solidarity for Land Project. Equipping communities with knowledge of legal information-access mechanisms can help them make more informed decisions, document concerns, and engage constructively with relevant institutions.

AHRC and PCCJ remain committed to supporting affected communities through capacity building, awareness raising, community participation, and collective advocacy for land rights.

“Let us stand united for land rights.”

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