From Toleration to Integration: Lessons from Malaysian Frameworks for Effective Interfaith Dialogue in Sri Lanka

This article examines how Sri Lanka can transform its existing, fragmented
interfaith dialogue initiatives into effective, state-backed mechanisms capable of
transitioning the nation's volatile socio-religious landscape from passive toleration
to active civic integration. Currently, building lasting harmony remains a
significant hurdle for national unity in post-conflict Sri Lanka. While numerous
local groups work to bridge religious divides, they are generally ineffective at
supporting state policies or preventing occasional community conflicts. To address
this, the study adopts a descriptive, conceptual, and comparative qualitative
methodology, utilizing the Malaysian model of institutional pluralism as a
structural blueprint. Specifically, it analyzes how Malaysia engineered a formal,
state-led infrastructure for multi-ethnic stability, anchored by the Rukun Negara
(National Principles) and specialized administrative bodies like the Department of
National Unity and Integration. By systematically comparing the structural designs
of both nations, this research maps out the core institutional deficits in Sri Lanka,
emphasizing the lack of formal platforms that can translate grassroots
peacebuilding into national legislative frameworks. The significance of this study
lies in its shift away from superficial coexistence toward structural, policy-driven
harmony, filling a critical gap in South Asian peacebuilding literature. Ultimately,
the study concludes that fostering sustainable national integration in Sri Lanka
requires the formal institutionalization of interfaith dialogue, the development of a unifying civic ethos that respects existing cultural hierarchies, and the systematic
integration of pluralistic values into civil administrative structures.