Nov
30

The Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) convened its Annual General Meeting on 30th November 2024 at its office in Rajagiriya. The meeting, attended by members of the Board of Directors (BoD) and key stakeholders, highlighted the organization’s significant progress and laid the groundwork for future endeavors. ...

Oct
20

As Sri Lanka enters a pivotal election period, the role of responsible journalism has never been more crucial. Our recent training program, supporting the Media Empowerment for Democracy Program (MEDP)...

Jul
14

The Climate Action Champions Network, spearheaded by the Sri Lanka Development Journalists Forum (SDJF) with invaluable support from the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, has successfully concluded after over two years of impactful operation. During this time, we have facilitated and imparted knowledge to 20 exceptional young Sri Lankan climate leaders, of which 17 remain active. These dedicated individuals, united by their passion for climate action, represent a diverse cohort that includes scientists, ...

Jul
12

n the face of climate change and environmental degradation, communities around the world are increasingly turning to sustainable nature based solutions to mitigate the impact of these global challenges. One such solution is the restoration of mangrove forests which play a crucial role by providing a habitat for diverse marine life, protecting coastlines from erosion and sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. ...

Oct
30

The current climatic trend of rising temperature all across the South Asian region has compelled individuals to engage in dialogues that will drive concrete policymaking initiatives in its wake. ...

Aug
30

Sri Lanka finds itself increasingly susceptible to the adverse consequences of climate change, with rising temperatures, extreme rainfall patterns, and sea-level fluctuations significantly impacting the nation’s diverse economic sectors....

Nov
25

The SAARC Journalist Forum explored the impact of the Online Safety Bill in Sri Lanka during a live discussion on November 25, 2023. Led by Mr. Maheeshwara Kirindigoda, Internet Governance Initiative & Media Secretary, and moderated by Mr. Azad Musthaffa, Attorney at Law and Program Director at the Sri Lanka Journalist Forum, the session delved into the multifaceted implications of the bill, addressing the evolving landscape of journalism and communication in the digital age....

Oct
18

The Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) is delighted to announce its collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka for the implementation of the Small and Mighty Grants Program 2023/2024. ...

Oct
18

Against the backdrop of recent political developments in Sri Lanka, the third and final session of the Media Fellowship Program, conducted by the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum and funded by the Commonwealth Foundation, unfolded with artistic brilliance. ...

Oct
18

In a country where Freedom of Expression (FoE) and the Right to Information (RTI) are vital for fostering democracy and accountability, Sri Lanka’s journalists and artists have taken bold strides in their quest to understand, embrace, and advocate for these crucial principles. Thanks to the efforts of Sri Lanka Development Journalists Forum (SDJF), a project launched in July 2023, these professionals have made significant headway in their knowledge and application of FoE and RTI....

Mar
25

Media Fellowship Program - a novel approach to promote freedom of expression and information rights of citizens through building a network of artists and young journalists, equip them with new media tools to create and produce at least two digital media content designed by Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF)....

Feb
09

New media technology can be used to communicate ideologies, opinions, and ideas to influence and empower communities, and it is a tool that can be used to promote human rights values such as freedom of expression,...

Nov
27

SDJF successfully completed a workshop on crisis and investigative reporting with the participation of 46 including students at the University of Peradeniya and regional journalists. The workshop was held at the Suisse Hotel in Kandy....

Nov
13

The conceptual training program under the “Empowering youth-led initiatives in the prevention of violent extremism” project commenced on November 11, 2022, at the Suisse Hotel in Kandy with the participation of 38 university students ( 28 girls & 10 boys) from Southeastern University ( 17) , Peradeniya University (10), and the University of Colombo (10)....

Nov
10

The inauguration of media incubator space for the media students at Peredeniya University declared open on 10th November 2022 at the Faculty of Agriculture extension. The space is built by Helvetas in partnership with SDJF with the funding support from European Union. ...

Oct
18

The Incubator Spaces for Promoting Information Right and Freedom of Expression (InSPIRE) project has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the Southern and Northern Sri Lanka. In the past, there had been minimal opportunities for the Tamil community and especially for the undergraduates of University of Jaffna (UOJ) to voice their socio-economic and political issues and be heard by the Southern people....

Oct
03

The establishment of the Incubator Spaces was possible under the Incubator Spaces for Promoting Information Right and Freedom of Expression (InSPIRE) project funded by the European Union and co-implemented by Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF)....

Sep
13

Mr. Azad Mustaffa, the Program Director, Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) visits Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). During the visit, he is expected to represent the Civil Society Organizations in Sri Lanka and discuss human rights issues that negatively affect the development of Sri Lanka....

Aug
16

Lanka Development Journalist Forum (LDJF) entered into an agreement with Helvetas Sri Lanka and GCERF to initiate a 7-month project on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) among youth in Sri Lanka on 16th August 2022. ...

Jun
24

Climate Action Champions Network to select 100 individuals to lead Climate Action Policies and Initiatives in South Asia ...

Jun
20

The role of new media in creating digital identities among users, mainly youth, in Sri Lanka has a considerable impact in the making of the new media culture in the country and how the freedom of expression has evolved. Further, during the COVID-19 pandemic new media avenues have been used tremendously to disseminate information and even in building and transforming local and international businesses. ...

May
28

A panel Discussion on Investigative journalism, “Striving for Democracy Through Investigative Journalism” was held on 28th May 2022, in Colombo. Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) invited three renowned journalists as panelists for the event: Ms. Dilrukshi Handunetti, Executive Director for Center for Investigative Reporting Sri Lanka; Mr. Shihar Aneez, Investigative/ Data Journalism trainer at the Center for Investigative Reporting Sri Lanka; and Mr. Rifthi Ali, Founder/ Chief edito...

May
07

The Regional Coordinator, HELVETAS International, Ms. Esther Marthaler visited the practical training workshop organized as part of the InSPIRE project by Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) on 7th May 2022 in Kandy. ...

Jan
29

Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) organized a two-day workshop on 29th & 30th January, 2022 on Cartoon and Doodling expression for students from the Department of Media Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna. ...

Jan
22

Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) in partnership with Helvetas conducted a two-day practical workshop on Multimedia articles, Blog writing for the media students of Jaffna University on 22nd and 23rd at Hotel Green Grass, Jaffna....

Jan
22

Marking another milestone, the InSPIRE (Incubator Spaces for Promotion of Information Rights and Freedom of Expression) project initiated its Practical Training Workshop series for the students from the Department of Media Studies, the University of Jaffna on the 22nd January 2022 at the Green Grass Hotel, Jaffna. ...

Sep
25

To celebrate and highlight the importance of international access to information day the InSPIRE team organized training sessions for the students of University of Peradeniya and Sri Jayewardanapura University on 25th and 26th September 2021 respectively. ...

Sep
24

“Gender-based violence (GBV) is a notable form of human rights violation. It is rooted in gender inequality and involves any form of violence against a person on account of their gender. Men and women experience GBV, but the majority of victims tend to be women and girls. ...

Sep
18

With the introduction to ‘Gender in New Media’; the third training session commenced on September 18th 2021 for the students of University of Peradeniya....

Sep
11

The second session on Freedom of Expression was successfully concluded with 90 enthusiastic students of University of Peradeniya on September 11th, 20201. ...

Sep
12

Inauguration of Exploration of Future Media Minds virtual training program series for the University of Sri Jayawardanapura was held on September 12, 2021....

Sep
04

Exploration of Future minds virtual training program for the university students of Peradeniya inaugurated on September 4, 2021. ...

Aug
04

The virtual training program on Digital citizenship commenced on July 31, 2021 for the students of the University of Jaffna with the participation of 115 students: 29 male and 86 female from the Department of Media Studies....

Jul
25

The 2nd virtual training session on Freedom of Expression concluded on July 24, 2021 for the students from the South Eastern University with the participation of 36 students: o4 male and 32 females from the Department of Languages and Sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Culture....

Jul
18

After the completion of 2 successful training sessions on Digital Citizenship, the virtual training on Freedom of Expression commenced on July 17, 2021 for the same students from the South Eastern University with the participation of 44 students: 04 male and 40 female from the Department of Languages and Sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Culture....

Jul
13

Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum management, staff and its beneficiaries warmly welcome Dr. Samantha Rathnayake, who was appointed as a new Board Member of SDJF in the combined General Meeting of the Members and Board of Directors held on 17th February,2021. ...

Jul
11

The second session of the virtual training on Digital Citizenship concluded on July 10, 2021 for the students of the South Eastern University with the participation of 51 students: 07 male and 44 female from the Department of Languages and Sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Culture....

Jul
04

A virtual training on Digital citizenship was successfully completed on July 3, 2021 for the students of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka with the participation of 52 students: 6 male and 46 female from the Department of Languages and Sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Culture....

Jun
19

In an era where technology continues to evolve exponentially, the necessity of the Smart Phone in every aspect of human life has become indispensable and utilizing this technology to advance and expedite better services especially for small scale entrepreneurs is a need of the hour....

Apr
29

The Incubator Spaces for Promoting Information Right and Freedom of Expression (InSPIRE) project unlocked the potential skills of 12 leaders ( 03 Males & 09 Females) through a leadership training conducted for selected members from the InSPIRE network representing the universities of Peradeniya, Jayewardenepura, Jaffna and South Eastern University. ...

Mar
16

Every woman yearns for a world devoid of discrimination, prejudice, stigma, violence and a future abounded with equal rights and opportunities. This International Women’s Day, individuals, organizations, different movements and communities from around the world stood in solidarity with women and girls to challenge stereotypes, gender bias, inequalities that restrict women from being bolder and stronger....

Jan
05

The Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) organised its fifth edition of the monthly #Media4Everyone live discussion series titled “Cyber Gender-Based Violence: A silent epidemic faced by women and girls in Sri Lanka?”, speaking with the Director, Grassrooted Trust, Paba Deshapriya, on cyber  GBV and its unforeseen effects for women and girls in Sri Lanka. ...

Jan
02

Sri Lanka’s first ever sign language female reporter, Ms.Suranga Udari placed her name in the history of Sri Lanka, in reporting a very important environmental issue on facemask disposal prevalent in the Hikkaduwa coastal area of Galle district through sign language. She reported this issue to the MediaCorps Watch online news program using sign language and mobile journalism techniques....

Dec
23

The International Web Convention to commemorate 100 Years of Media Education in South Asia was held on 19 & 20 December, 2020, focusing on ‘100 Years of Media Education: Decoding South Asian Mystique’. The event comprised of in-depth critical discourses encompassing a myriad of topics including contra-historicity of media in South Asia, Media and Technology, Media literacy, etc. These sessions were spearheaded by academics and experts in the field of Media and Journalism....

Dec
22

With the rise in cases citing gender-based violence caused by lockdowns around the world, the year 2020 called for rigorous action in eliminating and preventing violence against women. Therefore, 16 days were observed under the slogan 16 days of activism from 25 November - 10 December, under the theme “ Orange the world, fund, respond, prevent, collect”. The aim of the campaign is to create wider awareness, build networks for solidarity, and take consistent action ...

Dec
08

Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) in partnership with HELVETAS organized an online competition for the Media and Communication students of the Universities of Peradeniya, Sri Jayewardenepura and Jaffna on, “I Am a Responsible Media Citizen” from November 20 - December 5, 2020. The contest was held to engage youth during the pandemic, to express themselves innovatively and in a socially responsible manner. ...

Oct
20

The concept of “Gender” is a widely spoken phenomenon by many, yet remain unduly addressed. The discourse on gender equality quite often leads to controversial and intimidating outcomes in different socio-political and cultural contexts. The lack of awareness on the very notion of gender and insensitivity to humanity regardless of their physical, psychological and emotional being were recognized as the ultimate reasons for this outgrowth....

Oct
12

Reunion of Young Peace Journalists was recently concluded with the participation of MediaCorps Fellows belonging to four Fellowship batches. The reunion took place from October 2-4 at Global Towers, Colombo. 90 young journalists out of 103 (Male: 47, Female: 43 and Sinhala: 44 Tamil: 34 Muslim: 12) under grant #2 of the Fellowship attended this special event after one year....

Sep
26

Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) successfully concluded the MediaCorps Fellowship Program for Young Peace Journalists. The program was held from September 11-16 at Hotel Ramada, Seeduwa with the participation of 25 young journalists (12 Sinhala, 6 Tamil, 7 Muslim; 18 male, 7 female) from across the country. These young journalists hail from diverse ethno-linguistic backgrounds and represent print, electronic and web media....

Aug
31

Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) concluded successfully the MediaCorps Fellowship Program for Young Peace Journalists (group 4). The program was held from August 21-25 at Hotel Suisse, Kandy with the participation of 21 young journalists (10 Sinhala, 5 Tamil, 6 Muslim; 13 male, 8 female) from across the country. These young journalists hail from diverse ethno-linguistic backgrounds and represent print, electronic and web media....

Aug
04

Women in Sri Lanka, whether juvenile or adult, face intersecting disadvantages in their representation in mainstream media owing to their gender and sexual identity. Mainstream media often breach standards of ethical reporting as they reinforce negative stereotypes and sensationalize issues of women. The recent technological development of media has not been profitably diverted to address this gap in gender justice. ...

Jul
29

Salzburg Global Fellow Mohamed Azad explores how two young journalists from different cultures realized ethnic identities are only human-made barriers to a peaceful coexistence A decade of peace is not sufficient to heal three-decade-old wounds. Despite the end of the civil war 10 years ago, the people of Sri Lanka with different cultural identities still find it difficult to look at each other with empathy and tolerance. Deep wounds of mistrust have emerged from time ...

Jul
13

The present competitive, and fast-moving commercial industry entices young entrepreneurs to devise innovative and novel ideas instantly. In order to produce creative and skillful professionals into the job market, universities across the globe are introducing and opening up spaces for their students to revitalize education through innovative and experiential learning. Although the concept of incubators is not a whole new phenomenon in the Sri Lankan context, it is certainly a novel experience to...

Apr
02

Sri Lanka Development Journalists Forum (SDJF) and the Center for Media and Information Literacy (CMIL) joins hand in producing daily reporting and a news magazine program on Covid-19. The news magazine titled “MediaCorps Watch” is being produced to discuss as to how people in various parts of Sri Lanka are coping with Covid 19 while providing them with vital and factual information needed to deal with the situation. ...

Mar
10

The Sri Lanka Development Journalists Forum (SDJF) joined hand with the Center for Media and Information Literacy (CMIL), the American Corner and NewseumED Washington to conduct a workshop series on Media Literacy recently. The purpose of the workshop series was to equip citizens with knowledge, skills and tools necessary to critically analysis media content they consume and to make them more vigilance to fake news, misinformation and disinformation. ...

Feb
10

Ms. Alicia Phillips the vice president for global programs for IREX, visited Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) on 10 th February 2020 as a part of her mission to IREX programs in Sri Lanka. She was accompanied by the Stepahnie Hess, Program Officer from IREX head office in Washington, Jean Mackenzi, Chief of Party, M.C. Rasmin, Deputy Chief of Party, S.G. Surangi, Senior MEL Advisor and, Kanishka Ratnayake, Program Officer from IREX Sri Lanka....

Dec
11

A fresh participatory initiative to develop a Gender Charter for Sri Lankan media took place in Colombo, recently. Thirty gender experts from different disciplines such as media, academia, researchers, civil society members, policy makers, government representatives, activists, journalists and LGBTO+ representatives gathered to extend their solidarity in this initiative....

Feb
11

MediaCorps Fellowship training program for young peace journalists was recently conducted by the SDJF from February 6-11,2020 at Goldi Sands Hotel in Negombo. 20 young journalists (9 Sinhala, 4 Tamil and 7 Muslim; 14 Male, 6 Female) participated in this five-day residential program that focused on sensitivity to diversity, peace and conflict sensitive journalism, gender sensitive journalism, social media for journalism and intensive training on using smartphone for storytelling....

Oct
22

MediaCorps Fellowship is an innovative program which empowers young journalists to break traditional barriers in conventional storytelling, especially when reporting stories of marginalized and conflict affected communities that are less captured by mainstream media. The program has trained 58 young journalists in two previous Fellowships who have produced more than 70 multimedia stories....

Aug
27

This program was organized by the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF), as a part of the Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND) Program, being implemented by the International Research Exchanges Board (IREX) with the support from USAID.  25 Young journalists (7 girls and 18 boys) belonging to different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds (Sinhala-12, Tamil-11 and Muslim-2) who comprised the second batch of MediaCorps Fellows, took part in this event....

Jan
07

An innovative Peace Journalism program called MediaCorps Fellowship has been launched by Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) in order to facilitate dialogue amongst youth from diverse backgrounds into one common platform where they can share not only the grievances of each other’s communities, but also the wealth of their culture and traditions for the awareness of a wider audience....

Nov
07

Thirty-four young journalists and media students attended a three-day orientation from November 2-4 in Colombo on the use of collaborative multimedia storytelling to focus on concerns of marginalized populations. The orientation also focused on cultural diversity, gender and conflict-sensitive storytelling, and media ethics and was organized through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND) program....

Dec
17

SDJF in partnership with Helvitas will install an interactive and latest learning spaces within media department of 3 state universities under the project titled “Incubator Spaces for Promoting Information rights and freedom of Expression” (InSPIRE) funded by European Union under the EIDHR funding instrument. ...

Sep
25

During the post war development, youth should be empowered to serve their communities. Accordingly, an interactive training program for youth in the Northern Province concluded recently. In this programme, more than 120 youths from Jaffna, Mullaithivu, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mannar were trained as “community champions” who will act as driving forces of community development....

Sep
02

A felicitation ceremony was organized by Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) to celebrate and pay homage to a wonderful person, Prof. Padmasiri Wanigasundera who has rendered an invaluable 25-year service to Development Communication through the Department of Agricultural Extension at the University of Peradeniya...

Aug
09

The representation of women in Sri Lankan media over the past few years has breached many ethical standards, resulting in the reinforcement of negative stereotypes. “The technological development of media has not been able to address the gaps in gender justice,” said Mr. Sudarshana Gunawardana, Attorney-at-Law in a private interview with Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF)...

Jun
30

Today, we find ourselves in a world that is increasingly digitalizing all aspects of human life. With this massive transformation our engagement with desktop computers has quite strained today to diverge our allegiance with the smartphone....

Mar
09

Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) conducted final awarding and reunion of Young Peace Journalists who took part in the MediaCorp Fellowship Program, on March 9, 2019 at Hotel Galadari, Colombo. This event was organized as part of a two days retreat organized by SDJF in its first phase of MediaCorp Fellowship, which is a part of the Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND) Program, implemented by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) ...

Feb
26

The mobile video summit 2019 was successfully completed with awarding of certificates to 24 MoJo storytellers for their commitment active participation to raise a voice for the voiceless in their respective districts on 23rd February 2019, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute....

Oct
21

three day’s ‘Training of Trainers’ program for youths on ‘Internet governance and freedom of expression’ was concluded in Colombo on 21st of October under the project title: A Localized Approach for Advocacy supported by Counterpart International (CPI) and Implemented by Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF)...

Nov
18

Mohamedu Aswer, Project Officer at Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) won a gold medal in the "Pic Your Value" photography competition, held in May 2018, conducted by The Asia Foundation (TAF) in partnership with Photographic Society of Sri Lanka....

Oct
01

On September 20, Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum launched a four-day training program with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)  to help women from rural organizations to produce multimedia storytelling, conduct internet-based advocacy, and to effectively capture the voices of women in Sri Lanka....