The Rifai Thareeq Association (RTA), established in 1877, has always placed importance on serving the Sri Lankan Muslim community through various social projects.

Education is one of the avenues through which RTA hopes to uplift the community and guide them to reach greater heights in their personal, professional, and social lives – be it the education of young children, men, or women. In this regard, the RTA runs educational programmes for men and women through its two colleges in Kapuwatte, Weligama.

Special emphasis is placed on the education of young girls and women, as they are the backbone of society. The Rifayiya Ladies’ Arabic College (RLAC) provides secular as well as religious education. In addition, the Rifayiya Educational Development Fund (REDF) was initiated to assist under-privileged students in attaining their education by way of evening lessons.

One of the recent projects commenced by the RLAC is a Vocational Training Course for ladies in the local community. This project is implemented by the Muslim Ladies’ Study Circle at the RLAC premises in Kapuwatte, Weligama.

At present, over 100 ladies from the local community are benefiting from this project. Vocational training sessions are held every weekday morning in skills such as general sewing, curtain-making, and cookery. The sessions are conducted by lecturers who are qualified in the said skills.

Each batch of students will be trained for six months and awarded a certificate upon successful completion of the course.