Who We Are

Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) is a national-level, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization registered with the National Secretariat for NGOs as Lanka Development Journalist Forum (Reg. No. L17041). SDJF is an action-based and learning organization with a dedicated staff, over 500 trained volunteers, 25 partner organizations, and several media partners. Our mission is to use responsible and creative media—storytelling, radio drama, forum theatre, cartoons, photography, doodling, video, short films, participatory and mobile storytelling—to promote human rights, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, social justice, good governance, peace, and freedom of expression. We also use media to advance democratization, good governance, and post-conflict transformation in Sri Lanka. Our media and gender programs have empowered women from marginalized communities to address GBV, technology-facilitated GBV, SRHR, and women’s political participation, while also focusing on climate change and SRHR in vulnerable settings. SDJF amplifies the voices of women, girls, youth, and marginalized communities, enabling meaningful participation in democratic and public life. We further support young journalists and civil society actors through advocacy, capacity building, mentoring, internships, volunteering, and community initiatives across the country.

our vision

A civil society free from voice poverty.

our mission

We promote human rights, gender equality, social justice, and freedom of expression by using media as a catalyst for change. Our work specifically amplifies the voices of women, girls, and marginalized communities, enabling their meaningful participation in democratic processes and public life.

Organizational Values

01. Diversity

We believe that diversity is the universal truth and it feeds strength to life. Diversity enriches our programs, which in return, will enrich people’s lives. SDJF is committed to individual and organizational efforts to build respect, dignity, fairness, caring, equality and self-esteem of diverse communities.

02. Sensitivity to Conflict

We believe media programs to be sensitive in any social conflict, and that our programs should facilitate strong debates towards common good. We strive to input peace and harvest connectivity through media.

03. Gender Equality

We strongly believe in equality, justice and, Gender Sensitive Active-Non Violence (GSANV). We trust that media cannot be a real tool to foster the positive changes in the society until it adopts a gender sensitive approach and constantly engages with issues that affect women.

04. Learning

Learning makes us unique, while making our programs pragmatic. Furthermore, learning makes us believe in the future, and will show us the changing dynamics of society that is needed for development.