In responding to the challenges of peace and reconciliation the Methodist Church have launched out into many areas hitherto unexplored.  The most challenging and unexpected experiments have opened the doors where there is an ocean of possibilities. These activities have gone beyond the realms of discussing   theories,  of conflict  resolution and conducting workshops, within  concrete walls.

Our relationship with  UMCOR and Muslim Aid enabled us to bring together nearly eighty grass root level Inter Religious groups of all sorts to deliberate on the theme  “moving beyond conflict” last December.

This facilitated the sharing of the experiences of very eminent people who have been very active in the field of peace making and reconstruction of areas affected by long term conflicts such as  Dr. A R Kohli from India, who mediated a successful peace accord in Mizoram, India and personally supervised  the reconstruction work    and Bp. Zephania Kameeta from  Namibia who was part and parcel of the freedom movement and a Peace activists who  is still active in reconstruction of the nation. The outcome of this will be published soon, a summary of the events is always available for  those interested on request.

The intervention of the Methodist Church in association with the Mahabodhi Society to extend care for 1500 pre-school children in the IDP camps will be seen  as a unique intervention in the annals of the history of Sri Lanka.  This project has been supported significantly by  Muslim Aid as well.  This project envisages the establishment of similar nurseries in the war affected Sinhala and Muslim villages and extend care to pre-school children of the Military personnel who were affected  It is envisaged that later we can launch out on many peace related efforts through these children and their parents.

We have now established around 40 Interfaith groups all over the island working silently but with commitment and dedication to foster Inter ethnic and Interfaith harmony.

We are indebted  very specially to Ven.Banagala Upatissa Nayake Thera, Ven.Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Anu  Nayake Thera, and Ven. Bellanwila Wimalarathe Anu  Nayake Thera for their unlimited support and  encouragement

Personally, I am grateful to Mr Guy Harvey who was the initial force behind this enterprise, Mr Amjad from  Muslim Aid, Mr  Bharatt from UMCOR and the team that is working together as one family  specially Kevin, Aqeela, Ruwan, Ralston, Abdul, Lakshman,  Sudarshan, Arul and Leslie, consciously   rising above their ethnic or religious boundaries.