Colombo, Sri Lanka — Emerge Lanka Foundation marked its 20th anniversary with a commemorative event titled “20 Years of Rising” on 7 March 2026, celebrating two decades of supporting survivors of child sexual abuse in Sri Lanka and reaffirming its commitment to helping young survivors rebuild their lives.
Since its founding, Emerge has supported more than 1,800 survivors through a range of long-term programmes designed to help teens and young women recover from trauma and move toward independence. Over the past twenty years, the organisation has developed holistic initiatives that combine psychosocial care, education and vocational support, life skills development, and reintegration assistance for survivors navigating life after abuse and institutional care.
Despite increased awareness in recent years, child sexual abuse remains a serious and persistent issue in Sri Lanka. Thousands of related cases remain pending in the courts, leaving many survivors and their families waiting years for justice. During this time, survivors often face significant barriers – including stigma, prolonged legal proceedings, and challenges reintegrating into their communities and systems.
Emerge Lanka’s programmes aim to address these gaps by providing safe spaces, sisterhood, and long-term support systems that help survivors rebuild confidence, develop practical skills, and pursue opportunities for education and employment.
“Twenty years ago, Emerge began with a simple belief: that girls who have experienced harm deserve not only protection, but the opportunity to rebuild, grow, and shape their own futures,” said Alia Whitney-Johnson, founder and CEO of Emerge Lanka Foundation. “This weekend we celebrated the community that has chosen, again and again, to stand with survivors and believe in their potential.”
“The past twenty years have shown us that healing happens in relationship,” Whitney-Johnson added. “When young people are surrounded by care, opportunity, and community, they can move from surviving to thriving.”
The “20 Years of Rising” celebration brought together supporters, partners, and teammates for an evening of reflection and shared memories. The event highlighted the resilience of survivors and the collective effort required to ensure they have the opportunities and support needed to thrive.
Looking ahead, Emerge Lanka aims to expand its programmes, deepen partnerships, and continue advocating for stronger systems of protection and support for survivors across Sri Lanka.
“This anniversary is a moment to reflect on what has been built together, but also a reminder that there is still much work to be done to ensure every child in Sri Lanka is safe and supported,” Whitney-Johnson said.
As the organisation enters its third decade, its mission remains focused on ensuring that every survivor has access to the resources, care, and opportunities needed to build a future defined not by trauma, but by possibility.
About Emerge Lanka Foundation
The Emerge Lanka Foundation is a Sri Lankan nonprofit organisation that supports girls and young women who have experienced child sexual abuse. Through long-term, survivor-centered programmes including psychosocial support, wellness assistance, life skills training, and pathways to employment, Emerge works to help survivors heal, rebuild their confidence, and pursue independent futures. See: www.emergelanka.org.
