23/06/2026
The North Central group brought forward realities deeply connected to both people and the land they depend on.
This region, home to a significant number of war widows, carries the long-term impact of the civil war as many Sinhala youth from rural communities joined the armed forces during that period. Alongside these historical layers, the area remains deeply rooted in patriarchal social structures, where poverty further reinforces existing power dynamics.
Social challenges such as alcoholism and drug addiction have also affected the community life, while within this context, many women continue to experience different forms of gender-based violence, domestic violence, and systemic oppression. A large number of households are led by single parents, reflecting the ongoing social and economic pressures faced by families.
At the center of their discussion, however, was the issue of chemical fertilizer use in agriculture, an issue closely tied to livelihoods, food security, environmental sustainability, and long-standing rural challenges that are statistically proven and widely experienced.
As the conversation unfolded, other interconnected concerns also emerged: human–elephant conflict, the rising incidence of kidney-related diseases, limited access to sexual and reproductive health education for teenagers, and inadequate transportation infrastructure in rural villages.
Together, these discussions created space for deeper questioning, reflection, and understanding, allowing youth to recognize how regional realities differ, yet remain interconnected within broader national and social systems.
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𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 (𝗬𝗩𝗙) 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟴
𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲, 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮
"𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻"
VHI Team -
Narrated by: Heshani Fonseka
Photography by: Niranjan Dissanayake
Supported by: Chamidu Sandeep, A.S.M Asfath & Savindi Shehara
