WFD adopts an inclusive, cross-party approach to parliamentary strengthening, focusing on underrepresented groups, especially women. Collaborating with the Parliamentary Women's Caucus, the Speaker's Office, parliamentary committees, and political parties, WFD offers adaptive technical support to diverse stakeholders amid political uncertainty.
Our programmes aim to foster inclusive politics, accountable systems, the protection of freedoms, and pluralist societies. Enhanced inclusion stems from relationship building and information sharing between political actors and civil society. Incentivised political actors and collaborative civil society organisations (CSOs) contribute to better policymaking, establishing long-term progress. WFD’s problem-driven programming addresses core issues, assisting parliamentary stakeholders, political parties, civil society, and electoral systems in delivering meaningful societal outcomes.
Political context
In the past decades, Sri Lanka has developed parliamentary practices which aim to strengthen parliament and safeguard the independence of commissions. In this evolving political environment, parliament has a key role to play to secure these ambitions. Through our programmes, WFD has engaged with key parliamentary stakeholders as they seek to develop and embed parliamentary practices that will contribute to strengthened oversight and scrutiny of the executive and provide more avenues for inclusive political participation.
Key areas of work
Current programmes
Global LGBT+ Programme
Under the Global LGBT+ Programme, WFD Sri Lanka focuses on strengthening democratic institutions and practices to promote LGBT+ equality. The programme supports political decision makers and civic actors in working towards a more inclusive policy and legal framework for LGBT+ equality in Sri Lanka. It also supports the implementation of laws and policies and continues to work towards the decriminalisation process. WFD Sri Lanka is working on establishing the 'Inclusion Champion' model to facilitate inclusive policymaking and collaborations between political actors and civil society for the advancement of LGBT+ rights.
Indo-Pacific Governance Fund
This programme aims to build strategic engagements with parliamentary stakeholders following the 2024 General Elections and strengthen Parliament’s ability to further anti-corruption and transparency reforms. WFD is supporting workshops for the newly elected members in collaboration with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, focusing on providing technical support to the Women’s Parliamentarians Caucus, finance oversight committees, and the Open Parliament Caucus.
Strengthening democratic resilience in Sri Lanka
Under this programme WFD will provide continued support to the Coalition for Inclusive Impact (CII) and the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL). WFD will continue its efforts with ECSL to promote progressive electoral reforms including campaign finance reforms and will provide technical support to the CII on establishing long-term links with the Parliament for legislative support.
Completed programmes
Supporting a gender responsive and inclusive parliament
Integrated Security Fund
Supporting the Parliament to strengthen oversight and legislative processes and rule
Supporting political parties to be consultative and representative
Supporting National Audit Office officials in forensic audit training
Key results
Amid the 2022-2023 political and economic crisis, established an Economic Inclusion Working Group (EIWG), now an independent entity called the Coalition for Inclusive Impact (CII). The group evaluates policies for inclusive economic recovery and engages diverse communities.

Connected civil society groups and lawmakers to advocate for inclusive policy reforms, capacity-building efforts and research.
Facilitated an island-wide LGBT+ activist network, connecting grassroots communities and organisations, strategising together for decriminalising same-sex intimacy in Sri Lanka.

Engaged with the parliament to strengthen inclusivity and accountability from a gender and human rights perspective.

Organised an executive course on post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) for three selected MPs, who advocated for the incorporation of PLS processes into Sri Lanka's parliamentary system, leading to the formation of a committee on PLS.
Collaborated with the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) and other stakeholders to support democratic processes and uphold electoral integrity. The formal partnership enables further support during upcoming elections, with the aim of strengthening accountability and transparency in campaign finance.
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Sri Lanka