NPC has commenced a new project entitled Collective Engagement for Religious Freedom (CERF), aimed at promoting religious freedom within the framework of pluralism and the rule of law, to be implemented in the Vavuniya, Mannar, Kandy, Badulla, Kalutara, Gampaha, Matara and Ampara districts.
Workshops on pluralism and diversity were held in Batticaloa and Trincomalee for DIRC members under NPC’s project Promoting Inter-Faith and Inter-ethnic Dialogue in Sri Lanka.
Aspects of the new Constitution were discussed and misconceptions were cleared up at a meeting organized by Kandy DIRC under NPC’s project Initiating Multi Level Partnership Action for Conflict Transformation (IMPACT). Around 100 DIRC members, religious leaders and activists, of whom 30 per cent were women, participated.
Badulla DIRC organised a peace walk through Badulla town for raising awareness on building national unity through inter religious harmony. DIRC members met several leaders of the four religions to obtain their support for the walk and to set the agenda.
About 400 people marched through Vavuniya town in support of families of the disappeared. A letter requesting information about missing people and demanding justice was handed over to TNA MP Sivashakthi Anandan, who promised to give it to the President and Prime Minister.
Puravesi Balaya (Citizens Power) brought activists together in Colombo to show solidarity with international efforts to direct the government onto the path of reform promised at the presidential and general elections held in 2015.
Sixty seven young men and women attended a sports and arts session to build understanding among different communities conducted by peace delegates in Divithurawatta in Galle. The weekly sessions are held in eight districts.
Academic Staff of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka attended an introductory session on Transitional Justice (TJ) organized under NPC’s project Initiating Multi Level Partnership Action for Conflict Transformation (IMPACT).
Young people in the multi ethnic Trincomalee district were given the opportunity to interact with their peers of different religions and ethnicities to celebrate Youth Day. The activity was organized by Trincomalee District Inter Religious Committee (DIRC) under NPC’s Promoting Inter-faith and Inter-ethnic Dialogue project.
The District Inter Religious Committee (DIRC) Batticaloa organised a media awareness event with the participation of leading media personnel in district representing newspapers, TV and radio as well as news bloggers and websites.