In a vital push toward holistic disaster recovery, the third phase of the "Beyond Recovery" mission kicked off under the government's flagship "Clean Sri Lanka" program. Held over two days on January 4th and 5th at the Naula Youth Corps Training Center, this residential training initiative equips district level trainers to support mental health recovery for communities devastated by the 'Dithwa' cyclone.

The program targets the psychological toll of the disaster, empowering participants to deliver grassroots interventions that reduce mental stress and guide affected individuals back to normalcy. Approximately 90 officials from all 11 Divisional Secretariat divisions in Matale District attended as trainees, gaining practical skills for village-level operations.

Expert resource persons lent their guidance, including Mr. Chulananda Samaranayake, Mr. Uupal Guruge, Mr. Nuwan Katugampala, Ms. Priyawanda Godage, Ms. Chamila Weerasinghe, Mr. Prageeth Munasinghe, Ms. Upeksha Wijesooriya, Ms. Sandaani Rajapaksha, and Ms. Kusala Wettasinghe. Training sessions, conducted under their supervision, covered trauma mitigation, community resilience building, and psychosocial support strategies.

"This mission goes beyond physical reconstruction it's about rebuilding minds and spirits," noted a Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat spokesperson. "By training local officials, we're creating a network of caregivers who can sustain long term mental well-being in cyclone hit areas."

The 'Dithwa' cyclone left thousands grappling with anxiety, depression, and displacement. "Beyond Recovery" addresses these hidden wounds, aligning with Clean Sri Lanka's broader goals of environmental sustainability, public health, and community empowerment. Participants hailed the program as a "lifeline," praising its focus on actionable, culturally attuned tools.

As Sri Lanka advances its national recovery efforts, initiatives like this underscore a commitment to comprehensive healing, ensuring no one is left behind in the journey to resilience.