Working Capital in Sri Lanka's communities because
growth that doesn't
reach the village isn't real growth.

The Small Fishers Federation (Sudeesa) was set up in 1992 as a development network of small-scale fishing and farming community organizations in Sri Lanka. Its headquarters are situated in Pambala fishing village in Puttlam District.

Small scale fisher folk and small farmers, as one of the most socially and economically vulnerable groups, are engaged in fishing in shallow waters of the sea and also inland fishing and farming areas using very primitive fishing gear and farming methods. Their average income is US $16 per month. According to Government statistics, 62% of members of fishing and farming communities are living below the poverty line due to lack of technical knowhow, lack of capital and market facilities, and lack of organizational strength.

Sudeesa is an approved charity and non-profit non-governmental organization, incorporated under the regulations for the Monitoring of Receipts and Disbursement of Funds by NGOs under the NGO Secretariat of the Sri Lanka Government.

As an umbrella organization, Sudeesa conducts advocacy, economic, social and educational programmes to strengthen and empower its member communities in self-reliance. Sudeesa is a grassroots level membership organization giving special reference to destitute women, widows, youngsters and children in the member communities.

During the last three years, the organization membership of Sudeesa has been increased from 459 to 1,500 members' organizations. The activities of Sudeesa are managed by a 12 members' board of Governors and of them 6 are beneficiary women leaders from member communities.