RELIGION AND MIGRATION – ( Comparing Sinhala Buddhists and Christians
in and around London)
The place of religion in the process of migration
Sociologists have observed that the relationship between religion and
migration is not random but integrally connected to many realities, which
should be studied to gain a better understanding of the life and work of
immigrants in the host countries. For instance Warner clearly and directly has
said,
Migration and religion are
not mutually independent.
In this it is necessary to look carefully into religions practised by
the immigrants in their home countries and the religions followed by them after
their migration to the host country in relation to the process of their
integration within the host country. Accordingly the content of this chapter
examines the realities of both home and host countries in investigating the
influences on Sinhala people in and around London. For this, apart from the research
methods suggested in the methodology of research, the experiences of the
researcher living with this group of people in Sri
Lanka and also in and around London are recounted.
