In a state of civil war for more than twenty-five years between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), thousands of Sri Lankans have been killed and many more displaced. His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar seeks to help bring peace back to Sri Lanka and help self-exiled Sri Lankan Tamil refugees return to their country where they can lead dignified lives. “In Sri Lanka, our focus has been on opening up channels of communication and facilitating meaningful dialogue between the government and LTTE,” Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, speaking to reporters.

Sri Sri visited Sri Lanka in April 2009 on a three-day peace mission, travelling to war zones to bring hope to as many of the 150,000 displaced Tamils as possible. He also met with President Mahinda Rajapakse and conveyed his desire for the internally displaced citizens to return to their homes soon. After visiting a camp in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, Sri Sri told them, “The Art of Living Foundation and I are right with you in your hour of need,” assuring the displaced Tamils that they will return in peace to their homes.

In an on-going effort to facilitate peace, Sri Sri and the Art of Living Foundation have participated in a number of missions in Sri Lanka. Partial listing:

• In February 2008, Sri Sri inaugurated the Conference on Vedanta and Buddhism to foster understanding and friendship between the two ancient traditions of the East.
• In April 2006, Sri Sri met with 80,000 Tamils in Jaffna, in Northern Sri Lanka and prayed for his direct intervention to bring peace, justice and dignity for the Tamils.
• In September 2006, during peak of hostilities, Sri Sri visit Killinochchi, the district headquarters of the LTT and meets with their senior leaders.
  For over four years, since 2005, the Art of Living Foundation has offered trauma-relief and self-development programs all over Sri Lanka in all the three languages of Sinhala, Tamil and English. Benefiting thousands, Art of Living programs in Sri Lanka include: Trauma-Relief and Youth Leadership Programs, Breath Water Sound, Prison Program, Sri Sri Yoga and Children’s Home, a Children’s residential Home and Vocational training center serving the needs of underprivileged children.

In addition to the general public and displaced citizens, several dignitaries, priests from various religions, Members of Parliament, NGO counselors and at-risk groups and government staff have participated in these programs.