Our young and emerging evaluators, Irasha Jayasekara, Yadharshika Selvaraj, and Asinsala Wijerathne, represented FPA at EvalFest 2026, held in India from February 10โ13, a leading international conference bringing together global voices in monitoring and evaluation. The theme this year was โEvaluations in Complex and Evolving Contexts: Harmonising Youth, Innovation, and Impact.โ
Our team presented under different thematic tracks: Irasha Jayasekara spoke on the future of monitoring and evaluation, including the role of technology, AI, and ethical considerations; Yadharshika Selvaraj shared insights on inclusive and participatory evaluation approaches that centre youth, gender, and communities; and Asinsala Wijerathne highlighted the power of narratives and storytelling as tools for driving change.
In addition, Irasha Jayasekara participated in a panel discussion representing the Sri Lanka Evaluation Association (SLEvA), which explored lessons from Sri Lankaโs response to Cyclone Ditwah.
The conference, supported by key global partners including the New Development Bank (NDB), UNFPA, WFP, World YWCA, EMPOWER by The Amber Foundation, Sambodhi Research, and Outline India, provided an inspiring platform to connect with global evaluators, explore innovative practices, including the use of AI in evaluation and reflect on how evaluation can drive meaningful social change. We sincerely thank the Centre for Evaluation, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, for supporting our participation in this important international forum.
Strong monitoring and evaluation practices are vital for an organization like FPA Sri Lanka, as they help us understand what works, strengthen accountability, improve programme quality, and ensure our sexual and reproductive health initiatives create meaningful and lasting impact for communities.