Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Fides Service) - Support efforts of peace and reconciliation in a country devastated by twenty years of civil war; educate youth the have confidence in the future, spirit of initiative, a peaceful attitude towards others, help children traumatised by violence, these are the main programmes identified by Caritas Sri Lanka which intends to boost its social commitment in a country lacerated by years of fighting between army and Tamil rebels but where efforts to mediate a final solution have so far been unsuccessful.
Since 1999 Caritas has run programmes to bring the two ethnic groups, Sinhalese and Tamils closer, and helped to rebuild homes and schools destroyed in the war which killed more than 65,000 and left 500,000 homeless.
Caritas works mainly among youth and children organising seminars and workshops on themes such as peace, non violence, human rights, educating young people to play a part in national peace building.
Caritas Sri Lanka is backed by Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 162 national Caritas offices operating in 200 different countries, which has launched a appeal for 400,000 US dollars to fund Caritas initiatives in Sri Lanka.
In the meantime the peace process is at a standstill since April 2003. Tamil separatists call for an ad interim government in the north and east, but the government rejects the idea and many political leaders feel that to negotiate autonomy would lead to secession. Fides sources note the urgency for dialogue to resume in the present situation of stalemate which could deteriorate and spark more conflict.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/12/2004 righe 24 parole 243)
