18 June 2026

As part of its ongoing Movement Building initiative, WSCF Asia-Pacific continues to accompany Student Christian Movements across the region through dialogue, mutual learning, and shared commitment to strengthening student leadership. These conversations create opportunities to celebrate local initiatives, respond to emerging challenges, and deepen regional solidarity rooted in faith and justice.

Program Secretary and Movement Building Coordinator Anastasia Hilda recently met with representatives of SCM Sri Lanka, including Chairperson Dhanushka, B. Lawrence, and Anna Claudia. The conversation provided an opportunity to learn more about the movement’s current journey, celebrate its ministry, and explore future collaboration within the WSCF fellowship.

SCM Sri Lanka shared its vision of expanding its presence by strengthening university units across the country. Building on recent university student gatherings, the movement is working to revitalize campus engagement following years marked by economic hardship and natural disasters that affected many planned activities. Despite these challenges, SCM remains committed to accompanying students and creating spaces where young people can grow in faith, leadership, and social responsibility.

One of the movement’s upcoming priorities is a Women’s Empowerment Program in partnership with the University of Jaffna. Although the initiative was postponed due to a recent disaster, the program is now scheduled to take place in the coming month. During the visit to Jaffna, SCM also plans to engage with Christian schools established by Methodist, Anglican, and American missionary traditions, strengthening relationships with local educational and church communities.

Beyond individual programs, SCM Sri Lanka is intentionally preparing the next generation of leaders. As the movement approaches its upcoming Annual General Meeting and leadership transition, the current committee hopes to pass forward two key priorities, ecological justice and women’s empowerment as long-term commitments for future student leaders. The meeting also highlighted the identification of emerging young leaders who are being encouraged to participate in regional opportunities, including WSCF Asia-Pacific leadership formation programs.

Participants also reflected on the realities facing young people in Sri Lanka today. The lingering effects of the country’s economic crisis, increasing financial pressures, environmental concerns, and the growing impact of drug abuse on students continue to shape the movement’s ministry. In response, SCM seeks to accompany students not only spiritually but also psychologically and socially, encouraging young people to become compassionate leaders who faithfully engage the critical issues affecting their communities.

A distinctive strength of SCM Sri Lanka is its commitment to ecumenical and interfaith engagement. Through partnerships with the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), churches, theological institutions, and the Ecumenical Institute for Study and Dialogue (EISD), the movement provides students with opportunities to experience Christian witness in diverse contexts. A three-month internship program welcomes university students from the University of Jaffna, many of whom come from Hindu backgrounds, offering meaningful exposure to Christian communities, theological education, and interfaith dialogue. This initiative reflects SCM Sri Lanka’s commitment to building mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence across religious traditions.

The meeting also explored ways to strengthen SCM Sri Lanka’s relationship with WSCF Asia-Pacific through leadership development, regional participation, and collaborative initiatives. Both parties reaffirmed the importance of nurturing future leaders who are equipped to address local realities while contributing to the wider ecumenical movement across Asia-Pacific.

Through Movement Building, WSCF Asia-Pacific continues to accompany Student Christian Movements as they discern faithful and fruitful ways of responding to their local contexts. The conversation with SCM Sri Lanka affirmed that even amid economic uncertainty and social challenges, hope continues to grow through young people who are committed to leadership, justice, ecological stewardship, and ecumenical witness.