Spatial distribution pattern of religious populations in Gampaha District

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.