Bhikkhunis are significant but underrepresented figures in contemporary Sri Lankan society, serving not only as spiritual leaders in their communities but also playing significant roles in education and social protection. Bhikkhunis,  the female equivalent of Buddhist monks (bhikkhus), run schools, teach religious and secular education, provide material assistance to marginalized groups, advocate for the rights of women and other vulnerable communities, and offer humanitarian assistance in the wake of natural disasters. However due to the ongoing public debate over the validity of their ordination, entrenched cultural norms around gender, limited recognition from the state, and other factors,  bhikkhunis’ are barred from full participation in the religious and development sector and often cause their existing work to be overlooked or ignored.