ABSTRACT
Ethno-religious diversity has long been a feature of Sri Lankan society, and it continues to shape life trajectories of people. The introduction of Christianity in the early sixteenth century also added to persisting diversity. This has been a major factor affecting the formation of divergent worldviews among people. Social change brought about by modern education and other state interventions facilitated the spread of scientific ideas and the use of scientific methods to deal with existential problems. Nevertheless, the influence of religious traditions and practices on people and many scientists remains strong.
This chapter is based on qualitative data collected from a sample of life scientists and the general public. It is evident that their exposure to religious beliefs and practices early in life is a major influence on their worldviews, identity, and socio-cultural life, despite their subsequent exposure to scientific ideas and knowledge. On the other hand, religious orientation remains strong among most members of the general public despite exposure to modern education. Most schools in Sri Lanka remain segregated on linguistic and ethno-religious lines and contribute to the propagation of religious beliefs and practices among children and youth.
While a good understanding of evolution and evolutionary science among life scientists is evident, these ideas have not been widely understood among the wider population. It is significant that, among many life scientists and most members of the general public, there is no tendency to readily recognise a necessary conflict between science and religion, and they move between the two without problematising it.
