Sri Lanka, education and interreligious dialogue for peace

The task of the Loyola Campuses, Jesuit educational Centers in Sri Lanka, is to offer young people the opportunity to pursue quality studies focused on reconciliation and interreligious dialogue, especially individuals from the poorest and most marginalized communities on the outskirts of major cities.

Fondazione MAGIS ETS in Italy supports the Loyola Campuses through the project “Paths and Practices of Education, Dialogue, and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka AID n. 12970/01/7 – EDIRI,” which is financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The aim is to rebuild the social and cultural fabric of a population still scarred by a thirty-year civil war, through the promotion of education and interreligious dialogue among the various faiths present on the island (Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu).

On March 1, 2025, the first student exchange meeting was held at the Loyola Campus in Trincomalee, a city on the north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. The event touched the hearts and minds of all those who participated. Students and teachers from different Loyola Campuses (Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Trincomalee) gathered to celebrate unity, cultural exchange, and leadership. The day was filled with performances organized by the students, stimulating workshops on leadership, and unforgettable moments that united the participants raising their consciousness of the importance of understanding one another beyond ethnic and religious differences, as stated by the following testimonies.

Symbol of walking together in diversity.

“This experience changed me. It touched my soul to understand everyone, beyond religions and ethnicities. I have always been surrounded by my community and my beliefs, but this event opened my eyes to the beauty of diversity and the importance of understanding others.” – Sham Abishek, a student from Mannar.

“Before this meeting, I never thought about the importance of interreligious dialogue. This experience taught me how crucial it is to bridge our differences and find common ground in our shared humanity. We must be open and ready to learn from each other.” – Sivananthan, a student Trincomalee.

“I have always been aware of the divisions between different religions and ethnic groups, but this meeting helped me see beyond those barriers. It made me realize how much we need to engage in interreligious dialogue and understand each other on a deeper level. We are more alike than we are different.” – Nikhila, a student from Mannar.

The event created a space where young people from diverse backgrounds could come together, share their cultures, free themselves from prejudices and learn to look at each other with respect and understanding. Thus showing the power of culture to unite people, break down walls, and create a sense of belonging.

At the end of the event, the participants felt a deep sense of gratitude and a renewed commitment to promoting peace and understanding in their communities. The youth exchange meeting in Trincomalee was not just a one-time event; it is the beginning of a movement, a movement towards interreligious understanding, empathy, and collaboration.

The project “Paths and Practices of Education, Dialogue, and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka AID n. 12970/01/7 – EDIRI” is financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.