Kumar Rupesinghe - Foundation For CoExistence

Foundation For CoExistence

He is the Founder (and current) Chairman of the Foundation for CoExistence (FCE), a nonprofit organization promoting coexistence through Human Security in Sri Lanka. He builds on 25 years of academic scholarship, development work, policy orientation and practical organizational and mediation efforts. He has been very closely involved in developing conceptual tools and practical action for the prevention of violent conflicts and genocide. His experience ranges from academic and policy studies of several of the world’s protracted social conflicts to practical experience in mediation and conflict resolution work. He is dedicated to continuing these efforts to resolve conflict and promote coexistence amongst diverse communities. The organisation has allegedly been successful in making substantial contributions to the reduction of violence and the promotion of human security in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province.

FCE has established a framework for dispute resolution and coexistence between the LTTE and the Muslim and Sinhala communities. It has made a significant impact on the land question in the North East, assisting the Muslim Rights Organisation to set up a land register for 45,000 families, and is currently pursuing mechanisms to transfer land and to address grievances of all the communities.

In the aftermath of the tsunami, FCE was able to respond to the disaster by rescuing victims and building camps for the welfare of the affected people. Today, the FCE has a dedicated staff of over 200 and has expanded its presence to Mannar, Puttalam, Nuwara Eliya and the Colombo slums. It is currently engaged in building a Centre for Coexistence, which will demonstrate the folly of war and violence in Sri Lanka.