SRI LANKA Catholics, Buddhists unite to serve devotees during Vesak

Religious harmony prevailed in a farming village in central Sri Lanka as Catholics and Buddhists joined hands to celebrate the Buddhist festival of Vesak (Vesakh).


Devotees of both faiths offered meals and refreshments at a dansala (alms-giving center) in Hammalawa village on May 9, as thousands of Buddhists flocked to temples and thronged village streets decorated with lights, lanterns and religious flags.

Hammalawa is a sub-parish of Kuliyapitya parish in Kurunegala diocese.

The Catholic chief organizer of the dansala, Chamila Gayan, said the Buddhist-Catholic collaboration was one of many activities designed to strengthen religious harmony and overcome misunderstandings regarding people converting from one religion to another. Read more ...