Strengthening Cooperation Between Civil Society and Government Officials for Effective Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka

This two-year project will raise awareness of non-discrimination policies and religious freedom laws among government officials and civil society, and establish accountability mechanisms to ensure that authorities uphold freedom of religion or belief. Existing Coexistence Societies set up by the Ministry of National Integration will be empowered to hold local authorities accountable, while local government will receive support to set up tools and mechanisms to formalize the protection of religious freedom. The project will contribute to laying the foundations for improved social cohesion within Sri Lankan society and the effective protection of religious freedom. The project will directly benefit 240 members of Coexistence Societies, 84 public officials, and 30 “knowledgeable citizens” across the districts of Galle, Batticaloa and Ampara in the Southern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka.