The University of Kelaniya will conduct a comprehensive national study on the spectrum of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), exploring the varying types, prevalences, and conditions under which violence occurs, as well as the progression and patterns of violence

, under the research project titled "Progressions and Patterns of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Sri Lanka: A Countrywide Study from 2013 to 2023." The formal signing ceremony of the letter of agreement between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the University of Kelaniya was held on the 18^th of July 2024, at the boardroom of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kelaniya, marking the commencement of this study.

This study will employ a mixed-methods research approach, drawing on the expertise of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary specialists in SGBV. It will be led by experts from the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine and the Centre for Gender Studies of the University of Kelaniya. Additionally, selected professionals from the justice sector, law enforcement (including the Women and Children Desk of the Sri Lanka Police and the Department of Attorney General), and psychology will participate as consultants, enriching the study with their diverse perspectives and insights.

The principal researchers of this project are Senior Professor Anuruddhi Edirisinghe of the Department of Forensic Medicine of the University of Kelaniya and Senior Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe, Chair Professor of English, Department of English of the University of Kelaniya. The team of investigators includes Professor Indira Kitulwatte of the Department of Forensic Medicine of the University of Kelaniya, Prof. Anuradhini Kasthuriratne of the Department of Public Health of the University of Kelaniya, and Senior Lecturer Dr. Anusha Edirisinghe of the Department of Sociology of the University of Kelaniya.

This nationwide study will encompass all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, covering a ten-year period from 2013 to 2023.

During the ceremony, Ms. Azusa Kubota, the resident representative of UNDP, emphasized the timely need for action to achieve gender equality, which is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Ms. Linda Ehrichs, Counsellor (development), Head of Cooperation of the Canadian High Commission, discussed Canada's involvement as the donor country in addressing aspects of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within the project as well as in a global context. Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, highlighted the importance of evidence-based research and statistics, which will be extremely helpful in developing the policies of the country. She also spoke about the potential for further research through collaboration with international institutions.

The ceremony was also graced by the participation of Professor Madawa Chandratilake, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kelaniya.