This report is in response to your recent mails received us inquiring the flood situation in the Katunayake FTZ area. Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in providing this update, which was necessitated by the overwhelming workload we have faced in responding to this crisis. Situation Overview & Impact The Katunayake FTZ area has been severely affected by recent flooding and the associated cyclonic conditions (Cyclone Dithwa). The severity of the impact is due to the area’s geography, as it is bordered by the Dandugam Oya river and significant areas of marshland. The population in this zone is…

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The event was attended by the Katana Divisional Secretary, Seeduwa Medical Officer of Health, Women and Children’s Unit of Awariwatte Police, Gampaha District NGO Representative, Grama Niladhari, Early Childhood Development Officers, Social Service Officers and Hostel Owners as decision-makers. The discussions highlighted the challenges faced by FTZ workers, such as minimum wages and job insecurity, child protection issues and social security. Solutions were discussed with these stakeholders to create safer, fairer and more collaborative work environments. At RED, we are committed to taking this grassroots reality to policymakers, ensuring that the rights and dignity of FTZ workers are protected and…

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The research report titled “Why Free Trade Zones Need On-Site Childcare Centres: Addressing the Childcare Gap” was successfully launched on 16 September 2025 at the Full Moon Garden Hotel Auditorium. This event marked an important milestone in the ongoing advocacy for the rights and well-being of working mothers in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones (FTZs). The launch was graced by government officials, including the Assistant District Secretary, Divisional Secretary, Divisional Health Medical Officer, and Grama Niladhari. Key stakeholders such as hostel owners, representatives of like-minded organizations, and employee representatives were also in attendance. Together, they reflected on the critical findings…

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The event was attended by the Assistant District Secretary of Gampaha, the Divisional Secretary of Katana, the Medical Officer of Health – Seeduwa, officers from the Women and Child Division of the Awariwatta Police, the Gampaha District NGO Coordinator, Grama Niladhari officers, Early Childhood Development Officers, Social Service Officers, and hostel owners. During the forum, participants raised and discussed several critical issues faced by female workers in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone, including, Lack of a living wage, Insecurity of employment, Absence of an adequate social protection system, Lack of respect and recognition for female workers, Restrictions on freedom of…

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A discussion titled “Strengthening Free Trade Zone Workers’ Rights in a Sri Lanka Transforming Towards Dignity and Justice” was held on Sunday, 21 September 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo. The event was jointly organized by Free Trade Zone Labours Collective and Law and Social Trust. The discussion brought together workers, trade unions, subject experts, and policymakers to deliberate on the pressing issues faced by employees in the Free Trade Zones (FTZs). Chandra Devanarayana, Executive Director of Revolutionary Existence for Human Development (RED), addressed the gathering and highlighted the particular struggles encountered…

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Report on In-Depth Training for RED Staff Leadership A two-day intensive training workshop was successfully conducted on May 24th and 25th, 2025, at the Hotel Full Moon Auditorium in Katunayake. The event, facilitated by resource person Mr. Antoney Jasudasan, brought together the RED organization’s second-level leadership and activists. The training was strategically designed to build critical skills in three core areas. The first day provided a comprehensive session on proposal writing, taking participants through an analytical process from data collection and problem definition to developing solutions, logical frameworks, and realistic budgets. The second day focused on conflict management, covering international…

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