The launch event was held at the British Council Library in Colombo and attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including Hon. Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Minister of Justice, Ms. Beatrice Bussi, (Interim) Head of Development Cooperation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Priyanath Perera, Secretary of the Mediation Boards Commission, Hon. Justice Yapa, Chairperson of the Mediation Boards Commission, and Commissioners of the Mediation Boards Commission.
The Policy Brief highlights the importance of investing in mediation training and capacity-building for mediators, improving public awareness of mediation and ADR, and strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for mediation in Sri Lanka.
Some of the key survey findings include:
89% of those who had accessed Community Mediation Boards stated that they are satisfied with the way their dispute was resolved.
80% of people who used Community Mediation Boards, are likely to use them again in future.
Most respondents confirmed that it is cheaper and faster to use Community Mediation Boards or religious leaders to their resolve disputes, than using the formal justice system.
73% of respondents indicate that they would like to learn more about the Community Mediation Boards processes, in particular the youth.
67% of respondents stated that there should be an equal representation of men and women in any ADR forum.
Link to the full live event: https://www.facebook.com/SEDRSriLanka/videos/1052921379019062
For more information on the Policy Brief and Full report: https://www.sedrsrilanka.org/resources