The Bandarawela Local Inter Religious Committee (LIRC), established in 2022, has made significant headway in promoting religious harmony and coexistence in the region. The committee, composed of religious leaders, government officials, civil society members and journalists, has been working to foster understanding and cooperation among different religious communities.

Recognising the need to educate the public about their mission and services, committee members participated in a radio interview on the Uva Praja Radio Service to speak about the committee's work and the support it offered the community. The programme, recorded in Sinhala and Tamil, was streamed live on YouTube and Facebook, ensuring wider accessibility.

The broadcast highlighted the committee's advocacy activities, focusing on the teachings of religious leaders about harmony and mutual respect. Emphasising that no religion competes with another, the leaders pointed out that all religions promoted similar values of peace and coexistence. As part of its outreach, the committee has been organising district and local level programmes focusing on the role of women in religious freedom, which have provided a platform for women to discuss their rights and roles in a religious context, aiming to further gender equality in religious practices.

The objectives of the committee are to inform people about its commitment to religious freedom and coexistence and to intervene in potential conflicts to prevent escalation with representatives from various community sectors, working together to reduce conflicts and promote harmony.

Committee members spoke on their key achievements and initiatives including:

• Implementation of interfaith exchange programmes within religious establishments to promote brotherhood and peace among school and Dhamma school children;
• Programmes aimed at minimising misunderstandings between ethnic groups and fostering unity among children under the theme fostering unity to move forward as a nation;
• Identification of marginalised communities, encouraging the government to promote religious coexistence and laying the foundation for reintegrating youth through the establishment of youth and sports societies;
• Collective efforts of religious leaders from all faiths operating as a unified group in religious establishments.

The committee members emphasised the importance of continuing the awareness activities at the grassroots level and participating in media initiatives to promote religious coexistence in Bandarawela.