Where Faith Meets Environmental Responsibility
A group of Dhamma school students sat cross-legged on the cool floor of Pothgul Viharaya, their small hands carefully shaping sustainable materials into a miniature replica of Mihinthalaya. Around them, university volunteers offered gentle instructions, and the children worked with a focus that belied their age. For these young students, this was not just an art project. It was a lesson in protecting the world they would inherit.
The scene unfolded on 28th June 2026, the first day of Haritha Dansala, a two-day community initiative organized by ZeroPlastic, University of Peradeniya. Timed to coincide with the Poson Poya season, a period of deep spiritual significance in Sri Lanka, the project set out to prove that religious observances and environmental conservation can walk hand in hand.
Cleaning the Temple, Clearing the Way
The initiative began with something simple but meaningful. Volunteers gathered at the temple premises for a clean-up programme, sweeping pathways, clearing debris and restoring the grounds to a state worthy of the devotees who would soon arrive. The act itself carried a quiet resonance, aligning the Buddhist principle of mindfulness with the practical work of caring for shared spaces.
Later that day, the Dhamma school students joined the hands-on workshop to begin constructing the eco-friendly Mihinthalaya model. The activity was designed to spark creativity while grounding young minds in the importance of sustainability. By the time the first day ended, the model was well underway, and so was a shift in how these children thought about materials, waste and responsibility.
Two Hundred Sandwiches, Zero Plastic
On 29th June, the project turned outward to the broader community. A 15-minute environmental awareness session addressed devotees and local residents, drawing attention to the harmful effects of single-use plastics and offering practi…
