Gammadda Re-Build Empowers Nuwara Eliya Communities After Cyclone Ditwah

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Gammadda Re-Build Programme, developed for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, was launched yesterday in Nuwara Eliya. Today marks the second day of the initiative, which focuses on restoring livelihoods and rebuilding lives through skills development and empowerment.

The programme is being implemented jointly by the National Apprenticeship and Industrial Training Authority, the Department of Technical Education and Training, and Gammadda, with the full support of Australia’s Minderoo Foundation.

This Re-Build initiative is identified as the third step taken by Gammadda in contributing to national recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, as the country works to rise again in the aftermath of the disaster.

The programme is aimed at uplifting affected communities by enhancing vocational skills and improving professional quality, enabling individuals to regain stability, independence, and dignity.

Special training sessions were conducted yesterday at the Nuwara Eliya Technical College in several vocational fields, including masonry, carpentry, electrical work, metal fabrication, plumbing, and garment design. Certificates and industrial toolkits were awarded this morning to participants who completed the training programmes.

The event was attended by Gammadda Leader and Head of the Maharaja Media Network Chevaan Daniel, Additional District Secretary of Nuwara Eliya Dinika Kawisekara, Assistant Director of Marketing of the National Apprenticeship and Industrial Training Authority Priyantha Fernando, Principal of the Nuwara Eliya Technical College Sujeewa Medagedara, along with a number of government officials.

As part of the initiative, laptop computers were also distributed to university students from the Nuwara Eliya District who were affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Addressing the gathering, Gammadda Leader and Head of the Maharaja Media Network Chevaan Daniel said that the Gammadda team spent extended periods alongside affected communities, often remaining in flooded areas and locations where people were facing severe hardship. He noted that the team worked under such conditions for more than a month.

“This is a movement born from the people,” he said, adding that Gammadda has earned not only the trust of the Sri Lankan public but also the confidence of many international organisations. Referring to the partnership with Australia’s Minderoo Foundation, he observed that while conditions today are different from those seen six months ago, challenges still remain within these communities.

He stressed that the goal of the programme is to help people emerge from the disaster and build a new future. He added that this is only the first project under the Re-Build phase, with many more initiatives planned in the future, describing Gammadda’s role as building a bridge founded on trust and shared responsibility. He emphasized that media institutions, businesses, citizens, public servants, and organisations all have a collective duty to serve the country.

Additional District Secretary of Nuwara Eliya Dinika Kawisekara said the Gammadda team stood with the district authorities at every stage, from the rescue phase through to the Re-Build phase. She expressed appreciation that Nuwara Eliya District was selected for the first programme of the Re-Build stage, bringing much-needed support to the affected communities.

Assistant Director of Marketing at the National Apprenticeship and Industrial Training Authority Priyantha Fernando, addressing the trainees, said that while people were fearful when Cyclone Ditwah approached, those who received training and toolkits would, in six or seven months’ time, be able to look back and recognise the cyclone as a turning point in their lives that led them toward professional success.

Members of the public expressed their appreciation for the Gammadda Re-Build Programme and its efforts to restore skills, livelihoods, and hope among communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.