About Us
Sri Lanka's Tamil community has experienced profound political, social, and economic changes and challenges over many decades. Move Forwards is being established in response to the need to build a better future for the next generation.
Who We Are
How do we build a better future for the next generation?
Rather than functioning as an extension of any political party or as an organisation focused on electoral politics, Move Forwards aims to operate as an independent, evidence-based think tank and policy platform focused on the long-term interests, development, and advancement of Tamil people in Sri Lanka. We seek to create a common platform that brings together the knowledge, experience, and ideas of political representatives, academics, entrepreneurs, economists, professionals, social activists, young people, women, and the global Tamil diaspora.
Our Vision
To build a strong and confident Sri Lankan Tamil community capable of shaping its own future, founded on knowledge, equality, democracy, economic strength, and social justice.
Our Mission
To develop practical solutions and long-term strategies for the social, political, and economic advancement of Tamil communities through research, data, public dialogue, policy analysis, education, and capacity-building initiatives. Our approach will go beyond identifying problems — for every challenge, we will ask: "What is the solution?"
What We Aim to Achieve
Our Objectives
Social Advancement
To study challenges relating to education, healthcare, social protection, women's advancement, youth development, social cohesion, and equal opportunities, and to propose practical solutions.
Economic Advancement
To explore policies that promote employment, investment, entrepreneurship, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, technology, and small and medium-sized enterprises in regions where Tamil communities live.
Political and Democratic Participation
To encourage informed discussion on democracy, good governance, devolution and power-sharing, local government, human rights, the rule of law, and meaningful public participation in political decision-making.
Creating Opportunities for Young People
To empower the next generation to become not merely observers of political and social challenges, but leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and creators of solutions.
Advancing Women's Participation
To promote meaningful participation by women in social, economic, administrative, and political decision-making.
Research and Policy Development
To conduct evidence-based research on issues affecting Tamil communities and provide practical policy recommendations to governments, political parties, local authorities, institutions, and other decision-makers.
Connecting the Global Tamil Community
To connect Tamil professionals, academics, investors, entrepreneurs, and younger generations living abroad with initiatives aimed at advancing Tamil communities in Sri Lanka.
How We Work
Research → Dialogue → Policy → Action → Impact
Research
Examine the situation using credible evidence and reliable data.
Dialogue
Engage with affected communities, experts, and stakeholders.
Policy
Develop practical, realistically implementable recommendations.
Action
Collaborate with institutions, universities, and civil society.
Impact
Deliver real, measurable advancement for the community.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Independence
Our research and positions should remain independent of the control of any political party, organisation, or individual.
Evidence-Based Thinking
We will approach public policy through facts, credible evidence, research, and data rather than emotion or political convenience.
Democracy
We respect differences of opinion and encourage constructive debate and pluralism.
Equality
We promote equal opportunities regardless of gender, region, social background, or economic circumstances.
Transparency
We are committed to maintaining high standards of transparency in our activities, finances, partnerships, and major decisions.
Accountability
We accept responsibility for the ideas we promote, the recommendations we make, and the initiatives we undertake.
Future-Focused Thinking
We will learn from the past while placing the needs and aspirations of future generations at the centre of our work.
“Our loyalty is not to any political party — it is to the progress of the people.”
Move Forwards is not an affiliate or subsidiary of any political party. We will independently examine the policies of governments, opposition parties, and other political actors based on their social, political, and economic consequences. Where policies are beneficial, we will acknowledge and support them. Where shortcomings exist, we will identify them through evidence and analysis. Most importantly, we will seek to offer credible alternatives and practical solutions.
A Platform for Everyone
Move Forwards is intended to become an intellectual and civic platform where people from different sections of society can contribute. If you have an idea that can contribute to the future advancement of Tamil communities in Sri Lanka, Move Forwards wants to provide a platform for that idea.
- Student
- Teacher
- Entrepreneur
- Farmer or Fisher
- Professional
- Social Activist
- Tamil Living Abroad