The UK-based Global Tamil Forum (GTF) has organised a series of conventions around the country on the Himalaya Declaration, a joint declaration prepared by them and a group of Buddhist monks which mainly advocates a pluralistic country. The first convention was held in Kurunegala yesterday (11).

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (11), Ven. Kalupahana Piyarathana Thera, who is one of the Buddhist monks involved in the matter, said that they had organised a series of district-level conventions to promote the progressive matters included in the declaration.

"The series of conventions started with the first being held in Kurunegala yesterday (11). We have planned to train interfaith leaders and civil society activists through this programme and they will become main resource persons of programmes that will be held in all 25 Districts including Kandy, Batticaloa and Matara in the coming months. Around 150 coordinators will be trained through this programme and the National Convention will commence after it," he explained.

A GTF delegation and a group of Buddhist monks held audiences with the Chief Prelates of the Asgiri and Malwathu Chapters of the Siam Sect and the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith recently. They met former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Maithripala Sirisena – the latter two who are Parliamentarians at present; incumbent Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana; and several other MPs.

The President’s Media Division, in a recent statement, attributed the Declaration to be a collaborative effort between the GTF and the said Buddhist delegation which advocates for a pluralistic Sri Lanka that actively promotes the wellbeing of all its communities. While emphasising the importance of learning from the nation’s historical missteps, the PMD stated that the Declaration underscores the necessity for implementing measures that ensure accountability.