Can a non Buddhist join a serious meditation retreat in Sri Lanka

Welcome and warmly so. Sri Lanka has a strong tradition of forest monasteries and meditation centres that accept lay practitioners from any background, including non-Buddhists, for silent retreats. Well-known centres for foreign retreatants: Nilambe Buddhist Meditation Centre near Kandy (rural, basic, founded for international students), Sumathipala Aranya in Kanduboda (one of the original vipassana centres), and Na-Uyana Aranya in the dry zone (forest monastery, more austere). Typical structure for a 10-day retreat: wake around 4:30am, an hour of seated meditation, walking meditation, a simple breakfast, morning sittings, lunch around 11am (the LAST meal of the day under monastic precept; you eat nothing after noon), afternoon sittings and Dhamma talk, evening sitting, sleep by 9pm. Silence is total except for asking the teacher questions. Bring modest clothes (white or muted), a torch, a refillable bottle. Free or by donation only; do not pay for these places.