The Culmination of the Engaging a New Generation for Accessible Governance and Elections (ENGAGE) Cohort 2024 was held on Tuesday, 12^th March 2024 at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo, along with the launch of Sri Lanka’s Electoral Sign Language Lexicon.

The students with disabilities from the University of Kelaniya who completed the 10-day ENGAGE leadership course, which was conducted by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and USAID in collaboration with the Inclusivity Centre, Faculty of Humanities from 22.01.2024 to 06.02.2024, received their certificates at the occasion. Leaders of the three student groups presented the outcomes of their action projects and their experiences at a panel discussion. In addition to the participants, volunteers who assisted in the course and its facilitators were appreciated. Mrs. Hasara Hirimuthugoda, Director of the Inclusivity Centre, gave an overview of the ENGAGE course at the University of Kelaniya.

Ms. Sara Minkara, Special Advisor on International Disability Rights of the U.S. Department of State, Ms. Silja Paasilinna, Country Director of IFES, Dr. Chamli Pushpakumara, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Mr. Saman Sri Rathnayaka, Election Commissioner General, Professor Prabha Manuratne, Director of the Centre for Gender Equity/Equality, University Grants Commission, Mr. Brayan Susantha, President of the Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf (SLCFD) and the Director of the Inclusivity Centre, University of Kelaniya were among the guests. In addition, officials from the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, the National Institute of Education, IFES, and members of the deaf community were present at the occasion.