Ambuluwawa marks 30 years as a symbol of harmony

Colombo, March 27 (Daily Mirror) - The Ambuluwawa Religious and Biodiversity Complex in Gampola will mark its 30th anniversary with a series of commemorative events scheduled for 29 and 30 March 2026, highlighting its role as a centre of interfaith harmony and biodiversity.

The celebrations will include an overnight pirith chanting ceremony, along with the laying of foundation stones for two major future-oriented projects an International Meditation Centre and the Niyangoda Vijithasiri International Library, which will house a rare and prestigious collection of books.

A number of leading Buddhist clergy, including Warakagoda Gnanaratana Thera, Makulewe Vimala Thera, and Karagoda Uyangoda Maithrimurthi Thera , along with other members of the Sangha, are expected to participate in the events.

Established on 27 March 1996, Ambuluwawa has transformed from a once-barren hilltop into a globally recognised destination for tourism, biodiversity conservation, and interfaith coexistence. The site is known for bringing together Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Christian places of worship within a single complex, standing as a symbol of peaceful coexistence in Sri Lanka.

Over the past three decades, the site has grown into a key contributor to regional tourism, with an estimated 8% of international visitors including Ambuluwawa in their travel plans, thereby supporting the local economy in and around Gampola.

As it celebrates this milestone, Ambuluwawa continues to strengthen its position as a hub for cultural unity, sustainable development, and global tourism, while remaining rooted in its founding values.