Female Religious Leaders’ Study Visit to Kandy 

A two-days study visit by 25 religious leaders representing all major faiths in Sri Lanka, took place on 10th & 11th of July 2023, accompanied by the Zam Zam Foundation’s Senior Religious Leaders’ Collective members. The participants consisted of respected senior and young Buddhist Bikkhunis, Christian Women Clergy, Moulaviyas, Monks, Priests, Kurukkal, Scholars and community leaders.

The main objective of the study visit was to build mutual understanding, learn from each other about cultural / religious practices, build a sense of solidarity among the participants and to engage with communities at village level to take the message of unity & peaceful coexistence.

The participants attended an exhibition on Haj Festival hosted by Tanweer academy in Thihariya, a focus group discussion hosted at the Sri Gunatilakaramaya Meheni Aramaya in Pilimathalawa, Guided Tour of the Harmony Centre at Katukele Jumma Masjid in Kandy, St. Sylvester’s Monastery MonteFano in Ampitiya and an open forum with the villagers hosted by Malpana Ganagatillaka Maha Viharaya in Digana along with observation visits to Gadoladeniya Historic Temple, The Chapel inside Trinity College in Kandy, Furqaniya Arabic College in Kandy and Digana Jumma Masjid.

Zam Zam Foundation hopes that this engagement, and similar multi-faith study visits previously to North and the East of Sri Lanka will continue to bring about positive social changes including community trust building at grassroot levels.