NPC’s Action for Religious Coexistence (ARC) project held a partner meeting in Minuwangoda for 25 participants from 14 locations across 13 districts, marking a significant milestone in fostering collaboration and sharing insights. The meeting focused on planning for the upcoming year, addressing programmatic and financial aspects and sharing impactful stories from various communities. The exchange highlighted the ongoing efforts to promote religious freedom in diverse communities of Sri Lanka.
The villages of Navatkuda and Poonochimunai are in the Batticaloa District. Navatkuda is predominantly Hindu and Poonochimunai is predominantly Muslim. A conflict arose that could have escalated into a broader religious divide when a youth group from Navatkuda visited Poonochimunai beach and consumed alcohol. A Muslim resident from Poonochimunai asked them to refrain from such behaviour in a public space frequented by women and children. This led to a heated exchange, resulting in the youth group attacking the resident. The situation worsened when members of the Muslim community retaliated and the youth group burnt a fishing boat belonging to the Muslim community.
What started as a minor altercation spiralled into a tense religious conflict. Recognising the potential for further escalation, the Local Inter Religious Committee (LIRC) stepped in and through dialogue and mediation, LIRC members worked to dispel misunderstandings, explain the reality of the situation and promote peace. Their efforts successfully defused tensions, preventing the conflict from spreading further.
Stories such as these illustrate the critical role of interfaith collaboration in maintaining peace and harmony. The ARC project continues to serve as a platform for empowering communities to address challenges and foster mutual understanding.
As the partner meeting concluded, participants expressed their commitment to carrying forward these initiatives, sharing lessons learned and working together to strengthen coexistence across the nation. The stories shared at the meeting not only highlighted the challenges faced by different communities but also underscored the transformative power of dialogue and collective action.