The closing event of the Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE)programme, titled “Echoes of Unity”, took place on the 30th of October 2025, at the Galle Face Hotel, marking the culmination of three and a half years of work to advance social cohesion in Sri Lanka.
Since March 2022, SCOPE has worked with more than 50 government and civil society partners to enhance community and institutional capacities, promote a more inclusive public discourse, and support economic inclusion. Over the course of its implementation, SCOPE engaged with more than 175,000 people across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka. SCOPE is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office, and implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and National Integration.
The closing ceremony brought together representatives from government, the international community, civil society, academia, media, and the private sector. Attendees gathered to celebrate the achievements of the programme, reflect on lessons learned, and discuss how to sustain the momentum for social cohesion in the years ahead.
Distinguished guests included Hon. Muneer Mulaffer, former Deputy Minister of National Integration, current Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs; H.E. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives; and H.E. Dr. Felix Neumann, German Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Underscoring the impact of the programme, H.E. Carmen Moreno noted: “Over the past three and a half years, SCOPE has helped build bridges between institutions, communities, and individuals. The European Union is proud to have supported this effort to strengthen social cohesion. As Sri Lanka continues this journey, the lessons and partnerships forged through SCOPE will remain a lasting contribution.”
Emphasising the European Union and Germany’s shared commitment, H.E. Felix Neumann highlighted: “Germany attaches great importance to open dialogue, reconciliation, and learning from the past. SCOPE has shown how honest reflection and cooperation can build the foundations for lasting social cohesion. We are proud to have supported a programme that strengthened institutions and empowered communities to move forward together.”
Apart from addresses by dignitaries, the event featured a presentation on SCOPE’s impact and results; a panel discussion with civil society representatives that explored shared learnings; and the launch of a photo stories book that captures personal narratives and community experiences from across the island. The event concluded with an art performance by the Temple of Fine Arts, celebrating unity through creative expression, followed by an appreciation segment for SCOPE’s partners and collaborators. Accompanying exhibition spaces featured installations by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Archive of Memory, and the Sri Lanka Barometer that were supported by SCOPE.
The event served as both a celebration and a moment of reflection, highlighting the collective efforts that shaped SCOPE’s success, and the many dedicated individuals and organisations that will continue to promote dialogue, inclusion, and unity across Sri Lanka.
