Irshad Imamudee
COLOMbO : A new vocational training and skills development programme has been launched by Muslim Aid Sri Lanka with the aim of creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for school dropouts and young men and women from families affected by the recent Ditwah disaster, living below the poverty line, and eligible to receive Zakat. The programme seeks to equip these young people with practical skills, improve their employability and help them become economically self-reliant.
The inaugural ceremony of the programme was held on Saturday (12) at the Mangalabaya Auditorium in Kolonnawa.
The event was conducted under the direction of Muslim Aid’s Skills and Enterprise Development Manager, Junuth Mohamed Sajeer, and was chaired by Muslim Aid Sri Lanka Director AC Faizarkhan. MFM Arshad, Director of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, attended the event as Chief Guest, while Anushka Priyadarshana, Chairman of the Kotikawatta–Kolonnawa Pradeshiya Sabha, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.
The primary objective of the programme is to identify young people from economically disadvantaged families and provide them with appropriate vocational training based on their interests, abilities and potential career opportunities. Participants are guided towards fields that offer realistic employment prospects and are given structured training to develop industry-relevant skills.
To achieve this objective, Muslim Aid Sri Lanka collaborates with recognised educational and vocational training institutions capable of providing nationally recognised qualifications, including NVQ certification. Selected participants receive vocational training over a period of one year, equipping them with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
