HWPL Wins Global Peace NGO Award at International Peace Mission Conference in Colombo
HWPL receives the Global Peace NGO Award at an International Peace Mission Conference in Colombo, where former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena presents the “Sama Sri” honorary title to HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee.
editor
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, 5 October 2026 – Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace NGO, received the Global Peace NGO Award at an event held by the International Peace Mission Conference (IPMC) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo to mark the International Day of Peace. More than 300 religious leaders, diplomats, academics, political figures and peace activists attended.
According to the organisers, the award recognises HWPL's contribution to global peace, international cooperation and a culture of peace.
At the same event, IPMC conferred "Sama Sri," a lifetime honorary title meaning "Peace Advocate," on HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee. Chairman Lee was also named in the TOP 100 of IPMC's Global Peace Awards 2026 and received its International Global Award.
Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena presented the Sama Sri title. Chanaka Suranga, Chief Branch Manager of HWPL Sri Lanka, received it on Chairman Lee's behalf.
In Sri Lanka, HWPL volunteers cleaned the streets of Kandy after the Kandy Esala Perahera, a Buddhist festival, in August 2025. On 4 February 2026, HWPL and the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) held Independence Day tree-planting events in Moratuwa (Colombo), Minipe–Hasalaka (Kandy) and Jaffna, with more than 350 citizens, youth and local officials taking part.
Among the distinguished guests were Vijay Kumar Raut, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka; Ven. Badalkumbure Sujatha Nanda, Chairman of Sarasavi Global Village; and Prof. Preethi Kulathunga of Shakyasinghe University / Royal High Campus and Councillor of IPMC.
Other attendees included D.M.C. Nalaka Dissanayake, Senior Executive Secretary for Parliament Affairs; Thusitha Kumara Adikari, Director of Shakyasinghe University / Royal High Campus and IPMC; and Subash Subawickrama, Director of the International Human Rights Commission. A former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, senior Sri Lanka Police officials, representatives of peace organisations, university students and members of civil society were also present.
HWPL carries out peace education, interfaith dialogue and cooperation with youth and civil society to promote a culture of peace.
