"You Start With the Community": The Value of Community-Based Approaches to COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.

This article examines the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Sri Lanka's public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on qualitative interviews with ten public health professionals and NGO affiliates, the study finds that these organizations provided critical support through fundraising, distribution of resources such as food and personal protective equipment, and educational initiatives. Key factors contributing to their effectiveness included strong communication grounded in trust, collaboration with government health efforts, and innovative approaches tailored to local needs. The findings suggest that community organizations hold significant potential for addressing emerging public health challenges in Sri Lanka, including non-communicable diseases and economic crises, and warrant further research and investment to strengthen the country's health system.