Abstract:
Religion is a phenomenon with a tremendous potential to transform human
thought, history, and civilization. Geographically, religion can be identified
as a complex process that spans time and space. Sri Lanka can be identified as
a multi-religious country and the Gampaha district is prominent. There is a
high concentration of people in the Gampaha district as an urban area and there
is a high population of many religions. Accordingly, the objective of this
research is to study the spatial distribution pattern of religious populations in
The Gampaha district and the factors that influence it. Due to the various
invasions and colonization of the district, which had a large Buddhist
population many centuries ago, other religious people were concentrated in
different areas. At present 71.48% of Buddhists, 2.28% of Hindus, 21.19% of
Catholics, 5.01% of Muslims and 0.05% of other religious people have been
spatially distributed in different parts of the Gampaha district. Accordingly,
this study has sought to identify the distribution pattern and the factors that
influence it. The study was primarily based on secondary data and interviews
and observations were made with people belonging to major religions to
obtain primary data. Descriptive statistics including charts, tables, and maps
used to analyse the data. This study has identified the spatial distribution
pattern of the religious population in the Gampaha district and revealed the
important historical socio-economic and cultural factors influencing this
pattern. The findings of this study confirm the lack of willingness and trust in
other religious communities. This has had a major impact on the socialization
of racist ideologies and ideas. This study has attempted to inform the public
about the problems that can be created in today's society and future societies
through the spatial isolation of religious people to different areas based on the
above mentioned factors.
