In line with the NISPED philosophy of providing innovative programming to meet the unique needs of each national group, 15 Sri Lankan senior government officials took part in the "Eliminating Rural Poverty - The Israel Development Experience" Course. Held between February 22nd and March 4th, 2009, Mr. U.D.G. Ariyathilake, Sri Lanka's Southern Province Minister of Cooperatives and a graduate of a 2006 NISPED's course, led the delegation. NISPED's senior experts together with NISPED guest lecturer Prof. Ian MacPherson, a world renowned expert on cooperatives, facilitated knowledge sharing and generation through a comprehensive lecture and seminar program.
The classroom learning experience was complemented by dynamic study visits to leading organizations such as Maon Cooperative Enterprises, the Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Netafim. The program also introduced participants to the unique Kibbutz and Moshav models through visits to Kibbutz Urim, Kibbutz Beeri and Moshav Sde Nitzan.
A particularly important program highlight was a gala dinner hosted by Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Israel, Mr. W.M. Senevirathna and attended by Mr. W.M.S. Bandara, Minister Counsellor. Head of Chancery, Embassy of Sri Lanka. In addition, the participants enjoyed a weekend of cultural and historic tours of Israel.
Always looking toward the future, Mr. U.D.G. Ariyathilake and NISPED executives discussed possibilities for continued cooperation and programming between NISPED and the Sri Lankan government.
