Saviya Development Foundation (SDF) began in Galle in 1990, and have since expanded to other areas of Sri Lanka. SDF started with a vision of providing a better future for unprivileged communities in Sri Lanka. But they quickly realised that in order to really carry out their beliefs in equality and justice, they needed to work with all the communities, irrespective of ethnic differences, and promote peace and harmony.

SDF has found that it is necessary to focus on livelihoods development work to carry out peacebuilding work in an effective and sustainable manner. That is why they have expanded their work to address war-affected disabilities and many other developmental-related activities.

A particularly notable achievement was winning the national award for disabled and rehabilitation activities from the Sri Lankan Government. Galle is a district from which a large number of soldiers are recruited, the number of disabled soldiers in the area are also high. The award recognised the success of SDF in getting them to integrate into the community and recover from the conflict experience.

Also another main issue they have identified is the need to strengthen civil society who are already working in the field through providing skill development support. This supports them to carry out their work in a more professional manner that enhances its benefit. SDF has parnerships with 112 community-based organisations in Sri Lanka.