Rising from the ruins: ‘Dear Father’ rebuilds lives after floods

The Dear Father Programme, led by the Women’s International Foundation (WIF) and the Rotary Club of Colombo Uptown, has extended support to micro and small entrepreneurs (MSMEs) who lost their livelihoods due to recent floods.  

Award ceremonies were held on 23rd December 2025 at the Kolonnawa and Kaduwela Divisional Secretariats, with the participation of government officials, Rotary members, and WIF representatives. In Phase I, ten flood-affected micro-entrepreneurs received support and were officially included in the programme.  

Dear Father is a family-centred social empowerment programme that works with fathers to build stronger families and safer communities. The programme supports men to become more responsible, caring, and non-violent partners and parents, while respecting their dignity and role in society.   The programme does not blame fathers. Instead, it treats them as part of the solution. Through community-based Father Circles, men meet in safe and respectful spaces to learn, reflect, and support one another.  

By encouraging shared caregiving, better communication, and joint family decision-making, Dear Father helps:  

Reduce family conflict and violence  

Support women’s economic participation  

Improve children’s wellbeing  

Strengthen family unity  

Many members of the Dear Father Circles are micro-entrepreneurs. Floods destroyed their shops, tools, machinery, raw materials, and stock, cutting off their only source of income.  

MSMEs are the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy. Small and timely financial support helps entrepreneurs restart their businesses, protect jobs, and keep local economies alive until larger assistance arrives.   Supporting MSMEs is not only about recovery, but also about building resilience so families and communities can face future challenges.  

The MSME support programme includes three main components:  

Immediate cash grants for urgent working capital needs, provided through the Rotary Uptown network   

Business coaching and mentoring, offered voluntarily by WIF professionals  

Personal and family support through continued participation in Dear Father Circles  

Stories of Resilience: Heroes Who Refused to Give Up

The entrepreneurs supported through this programme are men and women whose businesses were affected by the floods but refused to give up. Their small businesses are the main income source for their families and, in many cases, for their workers as well.  

Kolonnawa  

Deva Surendra Samantha –Shoe manufacturer   

Samantha and his wife run a small shoe business. Floods destroyed their raw materials, stock, and machinery, including items prepared for the festive season. This support helps them restart from zero.  

Nishantha Jayasena – Leather Shoe Manufacturer  

A skilled craftsman, Nishantha lost raw materials and finished products to sudden flooding. This support allows him to restart production and keep his workers employed.  

Ruwani Perera –Batik & Handloom  

Ruwani runs a family-based batik and handloom business with her parents and children. The floods threatened her entire livelihood. The grant helps her restart a business that carries cultural tradition.  

P. D. Amila Krishantha – Recycling Entrepreneur  

Amila and his wife operate a small recycling and environmental business. Floods damaged their processing facilities. This support helps revive a business that serves both the community and the environment.  

Kaduwela  

Thushari Jayakodi – Three-Wheeler Spare Parts & Repair  

Thushari and her husband run a vehicle repair and spare parts business. Floods damaged tools and stock. The grant helps reopen the business and restore income.  

K. J. Sampath Jayalal – Communication Services  

Sampath and his wife operate a small communication service centre. Flood damage destroyed electronic equipment and halted services. This support helps them reconnect their community.  

Sumith Kumara – Welding Technician  

Sumith lost machinery and materials used in his welding business. His wife’s fruit stall was also damaged. Through this support, the family can rebuild their livelihoods together.  

Special Grant –  Seethawaka  

Shanthalal Dodangoda – Micro-Entrepreneur & Community Leader  

Shanthalal was selected as a special recipient for embodying the true spirit of Dear Father. While battling serious health challenges and carrying the responsibilities of family and business, he continues to run a modest livelihood and remains deeply committed to community service. His story reflects resilience, accountability, and unwavering dedication, a father who refuses to give up, leads with dignity, supports his family against all odds, and gives back to society as an equitable and responsible father.  

“Sri Lanka is built on resilience and generosity. Even after losing everything, our people continue to think of others and find the courage to rise again. This is the true Sri Lankan spirit,” Speaking on the initiative, Seroshi Nandasiri, Founder and Chairperson of WIF said. 

“Our support, though modest, is given with deep belief in their strength and resilience, and in standing together with the government as our nation rebuilds. Together, we will rise, stronger and unbroken.”   

“On behalf of Rotary, we extend our deepest gratitude to our donors whose generosity reflects an extraordinary spirit of unity and love for our people,” Past President and Project Chair of Colombo Uptown Delan Silva added:   

“At a time of great difficulty, this kindness brings hope and strength to our communities. Through Dear Father, we see how families and communities can rise together. Supporting micro-entrepreneurs is not charity, it is an investment in resilience, shared growth, and a stronger future.”  

Voluntary Business Coaching Support

Parakrama Ekanayake, a veteran business leader and mindset coach based in Australia, together with Aravinda Herath, is voluntarily leading the MSME coaching component of the Dear Father initiative. They are supporting flood-affected micro-entrepreneurs to stabilise their businesses, rebuild confidence, and move toward sustainable recovery through empathetic, hands-on mentorship.  

Speaking on the initiative, Parakrama Ekanayake stated that, “What inspires me most is the resilience and deep sense of responsibility these entrepreneurs show toward their families and communities, even after devastating loss. Supporting their recovery by helping them rebuild confidence and stability, is an honour, and both Aravinda and I are proud to contribute voluntarily to our country and our people.”  

For enquiries:  

Delan Silva, Past President and Project Chair, ROTARY COLOMBO UPTOWN +94 777 719 526| [email protected]. Seroshi Nandasiri, Founder and Chair, WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION +94 777 449 319| [email protected]