Building Religious Harmony at District Level, 2014-2015

                                                                                 

Encouraged by the interest expressed and the positive response by the participants of the Pilot Project, SAPRI took a step forward and arranged to conduct workshops of different themes focusing on Religious Harmony. Also included were new categories of participants, and a new district, that of Ratnapura, in the project. 

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided financial assistance to the project.

SAPRI conducted eleven (11) one day capacity building workshops in Ratnapura, Kurunegala and Gampaha Districts for two categories of participants. They were (1) religious leaders and (2) community leaders and multi-stakeholders. The workshops  targeted mind-set and attitude change and they attracted a range of participants, both men and women, while religious leaders of all the main religions were also present. A high degree of enthusiasm prevailed at all the activities. 

It was truly gratifying to see the multi-religious leaders sitting next to each other in animated discussion on topics of common interest. 

 

                                 Religious leaders at Imbulpe Workshop

                                 

                              Multi-stakeholders' Workshop in Gampaha 

Following the series of capacity building workshops, Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops were held for selected participants from all three districts. The potential trainers received an exposure and practical training to conduct capacity building activities in their respective communities. They  continue to be active in this area and SAPRI is pleased to receive regularly, the positive reports on their activities.

The outcome of the project was the creation of two platforms, i.e., a "Religious Leaders' Forum" and a "Community Leaders' Forum" as well as a Working Committee to implement future multi-religious activities in the districts.

The major expectations of the platforms are:

• Intervene in case of religious disturbances
• Watch for early warning signs of religious disturbances and take early action to diffuse   any adverse situation.
• Design and implement activities to build harmony and co-existence at community level