FPA Sri Lanka was honoured to host a high-level delegation from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) for a four-day (July 15th -18th) strategic engagement focused on commercial sustainability, innovation, and social enterprise acceleration. The delegation comprised Ms. Nitu Verma (Chief Commercial Officer), Ms. Polvvsha Syyedd (Finance Business Partner), and Ms. Francesca Witcomb (Marketing Advisor), all part of IPPF’s MA Commercial Sustainability Team.

The visit opened at FPA’s Head Office with a tour of the Colombo Clinic, where the delegation witnessed a special clinic session for community organizations. This was followed by a comprehensive overview of FPA Sri Lanka’s strategic vision and programming, led by Executive Director Dr. Ruchitha Perera and senior staff representing key initiatives including Social Marketing, Outreach, Medical Services, HIV Prevention, Advocacy, Communications, and the Social Enterprise Acceleration Programme (SEAP).

Community-based partners such as CSDF, Sankranthi, Heart to Heart, and Trans Equality Trust shared their impactful work with marginalized populations, made possible through partnerships with FPA and support from IPPF.

In the days that followed, the delegation engaged in field visits to pharmacies in Colombo and Narahenpita, gaining first-hand insights into FPA’s robust national distribution network for contraceptives and lubricants. The Social Marketing Programme, which spans clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and retail outlets, stands as a model of financial sustainability and social impact within IPPF.

As the officially designated IPPF Social Enterprise Hub, FPA Sri Lanka plays a leading role in supporting Member Associations globally through the Social Enterprise Acceleration Programme (SEAP). During the visit, the delegation worked closely with the SE Hub team, gaining insights into technical assistance mechanisms, capacity-building initiatives, market research, and strategic tools designed to enhance financial resilience across the Federation.

This hands-on experience offered valuable exposure to the practical approaches being implemented to strengthen sustainability among MAs. Currently, the MA Commercial Sustainability Team collaborates with 14 IPPF Member Associations to assess the financial viability of their SRH service models and develop pathways for sustainable service delivery. These discussions provided a vital platform for mutual learning, identifying synergies, and deepening collaboration to benefit the broader IPPF network.

On Day 3, deeper engagement took place with the Social Marketing Programme team, examining end-to-end operations, from procurement and product development to marketing and distribution. In parallel, Ms. Syyedd met with Mr. Suchira Suranga, Director of Organizational Learning and Evaluation, and Ms. Zaroosha Farook, Senior Manager – Finance, to discuss data for decision-making, including FPA’s data visualization tools and monitoring practices.

The delegation also participated in the Global Health Summit 2025 Colloquium on the termination of pregnancy in cases of congenital lethal anomalies, co-hosted by FPA Sri Lanka, UNFPA, and the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka. The session explored the medical, legal, and ethical dimensions of this sensitive issue and offered valuable opportunities for policy-oriented dialogue.

Concluding the visit, the delegation met with Dr. Ruchitha Perera, Dr. Chintha Rupasinghe (Director – Sexual and Reproductive Health), and Ms. Zaroosha Farook to reflect on service delivery strategies, clinic operations, and outreach models. These discussions affirmed FPA Sri Lanka’s approach to integrating commercial strategies to sustain and expand equitable access to reproductive health services.

This collaborative visit reinforced shared goals, opened pathways for further global cooperation, and spotlighted FPA Sri Lanka’s pioneering role in driving innovation, sustainability, and strategic partnership across the IPPF Federation.