The response of Sri Lanka to COVID-19 provides valuable lessons for handling future pandemics. It was one of the first countries to implement robust testing swiftly, contact tracing, and quarantine measures to flatten the epidemic curve effectively. The healthcare system, along with the government's approach and community engagement, played pivotal roles in addressing the challenges and helped to limit both mortality and illness. The desk review aims to comprehensively analyse pandemic response strategies, focusing on various intersecting factors, including how religious communities have responded to the pandemic and evaluates their impact on public adherence to safety protocols. The lessons learned emphasize the importance of local and international collaboration, early preparedness, and equitable healthcare access for resilient pandemic responses.