Colombo (Fides Service) - Special report on Sri Lanka - politics, society and religion in the present phase of the country’s history
Colombo (Fides Service ) – Today 14 February, Fides presents a special report on Sri Lanka, an all round view of the situation on the eve of elections, analysis of political, social and religious questions. News items, statistics, history tables help in depth understanding of public life and debate in the former Island of Ceylon.
Besides information on the history and growth of the country, the local Catholic Church this special issue is a collection of articles on Sri Lanka published in recent months. Our aim is to offer a picture of the Island which is preparing for elections on 2 April. The main objectives of the new government, local sources told Fides, will be national reconciliation and peace, constitutional reform and economy growth. (Agenzia Fides 14/2/2004)

ASIA/SRI LANKA -Difficulties for minority groups and tensions in this “Sinhalese Buddhist” country: ethnic and religious conflicts in the Island’s past and recent history

Colombo (Fides Service) – Recent tensions between Christians and Buddhists in Sri Lanka come in addition to 50 of conflict between Sinhalese and Tamil peoples. In both cases the violence is due to growing nationalism on both sides “Buddhist and Sinhalese” in Sri Lanka.
The Sinhalese are the largest group and the form about 73,.9% of the population. The Tamil minority is about 12.7%, living mainly in the north; “Mores”, or Arab and Malaysian origin form 7.1%. The people are mainly Buddhists (71%); anti-colonial nationalism was started mainly by Buddhists and today Buddhism is the state religion. The Hindu minority (15%) if formed mainly of Tamils. There are Muslims (7%) and Christians (mainly Catholics about 7%).
Buddhism reached Ceylon i the 3rd century BC. Tamils from India landed on the Island in the 2nd AD, ruled until they were pushed back to the north. Arab merchants who came to Ceylon between the 10th and the 16th centuries brought Islam.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach Sri Lanka 1505. They were followed by the first Franciscan missionaries 1517. Dutch settlers in 1656, took over the rule of the Island and persecuted the Catholics. In 1796 the British occupied the Island. In the 19th century there was a second large influx of Tamils from India who came to work in plantations
The country became independent in 1948. Three years later the nationalist pro- Buddhist Sri Lanka Freedom Party SLFP was formed and took power in 1956.
In 1956 there was a political turning point: as ultra-nationalists grew in numbers, Christians, especially westerners were viewed with suspicion. Importance was given to local culture and language. The nationalist leader Salomon Bandaranaike started the first ethnic conflicts, leading Tamils to feel they were rejected by the rest of the people. Tension led to violent clashes in 1958. Observers say this episode caused a separation between the Sinhalese and Tamil peoples.
In 1959 Bandaranaike was assassinated and his wife Sirimavo took power the following year (the world’s first woman premier), remaining at the helm until 1965. Her nationalist government adopted protection economic policies. Between 1960 and 1962 schools and religions institutes were nationalised. Catholics gave many schools to the government, nursing Nuns were sent away from public hospitals. Residence permits for missionaries were restricted
In 1972, on the wave of nationalism, the state changed aspect. The Senate was abolished and only the lower house remained. Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka with Sinhalese as the official language and Buddhism as state religion. In 1976 the Tamils started the Tamil United Liberation Front.
At the height of tension in 1983 civil war broke: the spark was the killing of 13 army soldiers by Tamil rebels. All over the country the Tamil were targeted and they fled en masse to the north of the Island. The Tamil t oops formed the Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) claiming self rule. The ethnic conflict affected tourism and the economy based on the export of tea and rubber plunged.
In 1987, with an agreement between Sri Lanka and India (which supports the Tamil minority) and the consensus of the LTTE, India sends 45,000 peace keepers. Two years later the agreement is abrogated and fighting between the army and the LTTE resumes.
(Agenzia Fides 14/12/2004 lines 59 words 662)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Madhu Marian Shrine a source of hope even in times of conflict

Colombo (Fides) – Madhu Marian Shrine has always been a place of prayer respected and frequented by Sri Lanka’s Catholics and many other believers. Nevertheless the area around the Shrine was affected by fighting in the past between Tamil separatists and the Sri Lankan army.
The Catholic Bishops called repeatedly for the area around Mahdhu to be de-militarised to ensure the safety of thousands of visiting believers as well as homeless people seeking shelter from war.
Since 1990, thousands of displaced persons made makeshift homes in the 160 hectares around the shrine forming a sort of huge refugee camp with the tacit consensus of the warring parties. The separatist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE which held control of the area was prohibited from entering Madhu.
The shrine is four centuries old. It dates to 1544, when King Sankili of Jaffna had 600 Christians in Mannar (converted by Portuguese missionaries to Ceylon in 1505), put to death to stop the Portuguese influence from spreading. A group of Christians who escaped death began to gather in the forest to pray in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary, the same venerated today at Madhu Shrine. In 1583 other Christians in flight from Mannar, built small chapels in the area and one of these at Mantai, became the first “house” for the beloved statue of Our Lady of Madhu.
With the arrival Dutch Protestant colonialists in Ceylon in 1656, the local Catholics were persecuted. Thirty Catholic families began to wander from village to village in search of safety carrying with them the statue of the Blessed Virgin. In 1670 they settle in the area of Maruthamadhu where the Shrine stands today. Other Catholics who escaped Dutch persecution began to meet in the place. It was thanks to one of them, a woman of Portuguese origin, named Helene, that the first small church in honour of Our Lady of Madhu was built.
Devotion to Our Lady of Madhu and fame of healing from mortal snake bites spread throughout Ceylon. With the arrival on the Island of Father Joseph Vaz, in 1687, Catholicism began to flourish again and in 1706 Madhu was famous as a missionary centre. The church which stands today was begun by Bishop Bonjean who laid the foundation stone in 1872. In 1924 on behalf of Pope Pius XI. the Papal legate placed a golden crown on the statue The present building was consecrated in 1944. (Agenzia Fides 14/2/2004 lines 36 words 400)

SRI LANKA/INFO

Area 65.630 sq. km; population 19.287.000; density 281.9; Urban pop 22.5%; Pop growth 1,4%; life expectancy 70 years (men), 76 (women); literacy 92%; languages Sinhalese, Tamil, English; Ethnic groups Sinhalese 73,9%, Tamil 12,7%, Mores 7,1%; gross domestic product 3.530 $; annual growth 4.3%; international debt 9.066 million $ (479 $ per head)
Religions Buddhism 71%, Hinduism 15%, Islam 7%, Christianity 7%.
Capital Colombo (615.000 pop.); Government Presidential Republic.

Local Catholic Church
Origin: Evangelisation began in 1543 until the 17th century. Under Dutch rule (1656-1795) Catholics were persecuted. The hierarchy was established in 1886. The swift growth in native clergy fostered the spread of the faith.
Catholics 1.354.000 ecclesiastical circumscriptions 11; bishops 15; priests diocesan 615; priests religious 333; Brothers 236; Sisters 2.333; major seminarians 486; Catechists 8.682;
Challenges: promote reconciliation among Tamil and Sinhalese peoples; increase dialogue with Buddhists.

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ASIA/SRI LANKA - “Island in situation of political uncertainty. Dangerous mix of politics and religion”: a local missionary reports to Fides

Colombo (Fides Service) – “The elections are unnecessary. The electorate is almost equally divided between the two main groups, supporters of President Kumaratunga and supporters of Prime Minister Wicremesinghe. If the new parliament reflects this situation the political crisis will continue. But in the meantime uncertainty makes the economy lose ground, harms the peace process and does nothing to solve the social and religious conflicts present in Sri Lanka”. Missionary Father Oswald Firth, Provincial of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Sri Lanka, was commenting the President Kumaratunga’s decision to call early elections on 2 April.
The missionary voiced concern for the political uncertainty in Sri Lanka. Disagreement between the President and the Prime Minister plunged the country into a situation of impasse: the disagreement is about the handling of the peace process which should put an end to 20 years of civil war between the army and Tamil separatists in the north of the Island. Although a cease fire was signed two years ago, the parties still have to find a solution to Tamil request for self rule in the northern regions.
Father Firth said “in this situation in a country with a large Buddhist majority the contribution of the Buddhist movement which influences a large part of the electorate will be decisive. Part of the movement backs the President who sustains Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese and Buddhist identity and is unwilling to make concessions to the Tamil; the other group, in favour of a compromise with the Tamil including ample space for self rule, is more wary and little inclined to expose itself”. President Kumaratunga is riding the requests of the strong nationalist wing but the Premier is not much better and has included among his electoral commitments the approval of the law on so-called “immoral conversions”, obtained with money, “a law which would directly affect also Sri Lanka’s Christians. This law is a violation of freedom of conscience and the local Church has voiced strong disapproval”.
Father Firth speaks of recent tensions among Christians and Buddhists which in the past few months involved the Catholic community and some Catholic churches were burned “Groups of Evangelicals are a threat to hitherto traditional good relations between Christians and Buddhists in Sri Lanka,” the missionary told Fides
With regard to what is needed in Sri Lanka the missionary said: “complete the peace process; revive the economy by opening to foreign capital; guarantee transparent government; solve the difficult question of the anti-conversion law ”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/2/2004 lines 35 words 403)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - President announces early elections, Tamil Tigers disapprove: peace process threatened: fervid debate in the country

Colombo (Fides Service) – Peace in Sri Lanka is threatened after a sudden decision on 7 February by president Chandrika Kumaratunga to dissolve parliament and announce early elections on 2 April. The decision has given rise to confusion and uncertainty and the disapproval of the ethnic Tamil group Liberation Tamil of Tigers Eelam (LTTE), fighting for the past twenty years for self rule.
Local Church sources told Fides that the announcement was quite unexpected after peaceful celebrations for national independence day on 4 February. “The social and political atmosphere precipitated to incredulity and uncertainty a most dangerous situation for the country’s future. Sri Lanka is suffering the consequences of a difficult relationship between the President, a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe leader of the United National Front, which has a small majority in Parliament.
The question now is what will happen to the peace process between the government and the Tamil separatists started with great difficulty two years ago. 22 February will be the second anniversary of the cease fire and the start of a period of peace from which the whole Island has benefited.
Some local press, which support the President, say the decision to call early elections is opportune and timely and will help to save the country from anarchy and an unending spiral of tension (referring to a situation of stall in politics, economy and peace talks). Observers near to the Premier say Kumaratunga’s decision was hasty, prompted by fear of losing more consensus and most unproductive for Sri Lanka’s image abroad with regard to tourism and also for the economy.
The LTTE says the early elections mark “a serious step backwards for the peace process ” but that they will respect the cease fire agreement signed in 2002, carry on with the peace process and talk with whatever political leadership is installed. The LTTE has also called for an intervention by the international community to assist people in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
In November 2003 Kumaratunga caused an institutional crisis by dismissing three ministers and suspending parliament for two weeks. The crisis was generated by a difference of positions with regard to the peace process.
Sri Lanka’s parliament has 225 representatives. Lists of candidates will be presented from 17 to 24 March in view of elections on 2 April and installation of the new parliament on 22 April.
In Sri Lanka this is the third time in four years that parliament is dissolved and early elections are called (the president’s prerogative).
(PA) (Fides Service 9/2/2004 lines 46 words 474)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Christians Promote Peace Not Violence: Local Church Makes Sunday 1 February Day Of Prayer And Fasting For Interreligious Harmony
Colombo (Fides Service) – Catholics in Colombo will pray and fast to obtain from God the gift of harmony among religions on Sunday February 1. The recent wave of anti-Christian violence is causing Christians to lose sight of hope for restoring a spirit of respect, dialogue, peace and harmony with the Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka. In view of this situation Archbishop Oswald Gomis, Archbishop of Colombo and president of the Bishops’ Conference announced a day of prayer and fasting on Sunday 1 February in the archdiocese of Colombo.
A local Church source explains: “We cannot blame all Buddhists for the attacks on the churches. The criminals have still to be identified: we urge the police to make all the necessary investigations. If some Buddhists guru are instigating people to violence these are isolated groups and episodes which must be identified and prevented. If the violence is allowed to continue it will threaten Sri Lanka’s centuries old tradition of religious harmony.
Fides sources say violence is not part of Buddhist DNA: “Buddhism is a philosophy based on non-violence; these episodes are contrary to its nature, tradition and teaching. Buddhists leaders have criticised the violence saying it is an attempt to ruin the image of the Buddhist community. Some think that the violence is being piloted for political reasons, to overstep national Buddhists sentiment which could be functional for determining political plans”.
The source concludes: “We hope religious leaders will give signs of peace calling their communities to dialogue and tolerance. Christians are mainly concerned by the situation of uncertainty: no one knows what may happen next ”.
Late on January 25 January in Mathegoda, east of Colombo, a group of about 20 fundamentalists torched the third Catholic church in few days. In Sri Lanka about 70% of the people are Buddhists.(PA) (Agenzia Fides 29/1/2004 lines 37 words 377)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Third Catholic Church Torched In A Few Days: Buddhist Fanaticism Escalates
Colombo (Fides Service) – The third torching of a Catholic church in a few days has put the Catholic community in Sri Lanka in a state of alarm. The news was confirmed to Fides by Father Damien Fernando, head Caritas Sri Lanka. The church, set on fire by Buddhists extremists on January 26, is in a village in the Mathegoda district east of capital Colombo. Some twenty men were seen to take part in the episode. After sacking the church, breaking statues and windows and sacred objects the men set fire to fuel poured over the floor and within minutes there was nothing left of the building but gutted ruins. Fortunately no one was hurt. But the attackers have not yet been identified.
In this wave of anti-Christian violence Buddhist fundamentalists had already burned two churches: on January 18 January St Anthony’s near the village of Pannipitiya, and on 15 January St Michael’s at Homagama, both districts not far from the capital Colombo. According to the UK based Christian Solidarity Worldwide association, earlier, between 24 and 29 December there were no less than 20 incidents involving Christians of various denominations in which 15 people were injured, including a 28 December attack on the Catholic church of Our lady of Lourdes.
“We ask international media to give more space to what is happening in Sri Lanka. Even our services of social assistance are targeted. We are accused of making fraudulent conversions with bribes or promises and to offer social assistance to obtain conversions. All this when the people we help, many of them non Christians, are enthusiastic and grateful ” father Fernando told Fides.
The head of Caritas told Fides that to isolate fundamentalists Catholics are taking steps to “consolidate good relations established with local Buddhist communities, explaining what really happened. ”.
Hostility and protests heightened after the sudden death of leading Buddhist monk Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero, supporter of fierce Buddhists nationalism, who died unexpectedly in mid December while visiting Russia. Although the official autopsy confirmed heart failure as the cause of death, certain media speculated on the monk’s mysterious death and possible Christian conspiracy. Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero was the leader of a Buddhist lobby Sasana Sevaka Sangamaya which sees Christian charity works as “tools of diabolic power aimed at converting Sinhalese Buddhists to Christianity ”.
After the recent attacks Fides spoke with the Archbishop Colombo, Archbishop Oswald Gomis, President of the Bishops’ Conference who said: “The violence is an answer to the attitude of certain Protestant Christians sects leading brazen conversion campaigns which anger Buddhists. For people of other faiths Christians are all the same and even though Catholic communities are not to blame they are targeted. I would agree with the Buddhists with regard to protestant . In fact we have tried to tell these religious leaders that they are causing trouble but they will not listen. We are all concerned at this sudden outbreak of unprecedented violence”.
The Archbishop said “fundamentalism is spreading among Buddhists and Christians and it is not easy to stop. Aggressive proselytism does not mix with dialogue which is the path we must take. Our relations with Buddhist leaders have always been excellent but now they are being polluted with this violence. But these are still only episodes and extremist Buddhists and Christians are to blame. We must not let them destroy our good relations.”
The Bishops of Sri Lanka have issued a statement condemning proselytism while demanding respect for the individual conscience and the right of every person to change their religion.
(PA) (Fides Service 28/1/2004 lines 46 words 612)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Why Is Fundamentalism Worming Its Way Among Sri Lankan Buddhists? Fides Asks Chairman Of Catholic Bishops: Nation Wide Day Of Prayer For Interreligious Harmony Sunday 1 February

Colombo (Fides Service) – Recent episodes of anti Christian violence on the part of Buddhist fundamentalist can be traced to aggressive proselytism by certain Christian sects which is upsetting centuries-old religious balance, Archbishop Oswald Gomis, Archbishop of Colombo and Chairman of the Sri Lankan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, told Fides. “The situation is still under control at the moment, but we are deeply concerned about the rising tension in the past few weeks. As Christian and Buddhist leaders we are doing our best to promote harmony”.
In a wave of anti-Christian violence two Catholic churches were torched on January 15 and January 18 in two different districts not far from the capital Colombo. Earlier over the Christmas season, Buddhist monks staged anti-Christian demonstrations protesting against “fraudulent conversions” and Christians and Christian institutions of various denominations reported at least 20 episodes of violence.
“The violence is an answer to the attitude of certain Protestant Christians sects leading brazen conversion campaigns which anger Buddhists. For people of other faiths Christians are all the same and even though Catholic communities are not to blame they are targeted. I would agree with the Buddhists with regard to protestant . In fact we have tried to tell these religious leaders that they are causing trouble but they will not listen. We are all concerned at this sudden outbreak of unprecedented violence” the Archbishop told Fides.
The Archbishop said “fundamentalism is spreading among Buddhists and Christians and it is not easy to stop. Aggressive proselytism does not mix with dialogue which is the path we must take. Our relations with Buddhist leaders have always been excellent but now they are being polluted with this violence. But these are still only episodes and extremist Buddhists and Christians are to blame. We must not let them destroy our good relations. Many Bishops and Venerables are trying to build bridges, speak to ordinary people, get together, promote friendship and tolerance. With this in mind, Sunday 1 February will be a nation-wide day of prayer for interreligious harmony”.
The Archbishop is deeply concerned about the anti-conversion Bill presented by extremists for discussion in parliament: “a law against conversion would be a step backwards and it would only increase polarisation. We all hope it will not be approved. We suggest that the government should form a joint commission of representatives of the government and the different religions to settle the question”.
“There is also a political aspect: prompted by personal interests, certain political leaders are stoking the fire. At this difficult time we need the support of universal Church and we ask all to sustain us with prayers ” the Archbishop concluded.
(PA) (Fides Service 27/1/2004 lines 36 words 478)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Evil Of Fundamentalism Infects Sri Lanka’s Buddhists: Churches Torched, Christians’ Accused Of “Fraudulent Conversions”: Catholic Bishops Reply
Colombo (Fides Service) – There is tension and fear among Catholics in Sri Lanka after recent attacks on Christian communities. In a wave of violence two churches in districts not far from the capital Colombo were torched: St Anthony’s parish in the village of Pannipitiya on 18 January and three days earlier on January 15, St Michael’s at Homagama. However, according to the UK based Christian Solidarity Worldwide association between 24 and 29 December there were no less than 20 incidents involving Christians of various denominations in which 15 people were injured, including a 28 December attack on the Catholic church of Our lady of Lourdes. At the same time in Colombo Buddhists, monks and lay people, staged anti-Christian demonstrations denouncing so-called “fraudulent conversions”, calling on the government to approve special laws to prevent conversions. Christian charity associations such as World Vision accused of proselytism under the guise of social assistance were especially targeted.
Tension between Buddhists and Christians is new to Sri Lanka tormented by conflict between the Sinhalese majority mostly Buddhists and the Tamil minority mostly Hindus in twenty years of civil war. An end was put to hostilities in 2002 and talks between government and Tamil separatists started only to stall in April 2003. Buddhists in Sri Lanka have always promoted a strong nationalist discriminating movement excluding the Tamil minority from political, social, civil and cultural life. The situation exploded in civil war at the beginning of the 1980s.
Now Sri Lanka’s Christians are being targeted. Hostility and protests heightened after the sudden death of leading Buddhist monk Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero, supporter of fierce Buddhists nationalism, who died unexpectedly in mid December while visiting Russia. Although the official autopsy confirmed heart failure as the cause of death, certain media speculated on the monk’s mysterious death and possible Christian conspiracy. Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero was the leader of a Buddhist lobby Sasana Sevaka Sangamaya which sees Christian charity works as “tools of diabolic power aimed at converting Sinhalese Buddhists to Christianity ”.
In a statement with regard to the recent anti-Christian violence Archbishop Oswald Gomis, Archbishop of Colombo and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, stated: “This violence must be condemned by all people of good sense. In no way is the Catholic Church involved in fraudulent conversions. And if cases of this type were to arise they should be addressed differently, not with violence which only leads to more violence”. Moreover the Archbishop called on the Island’s civil authorities to take concrete steps to prevent similar incidents.
The Bishops’ Conference also issued a statement condemning all proselytism but defending the right of every individual to change his or her religion. They pointed out that in many Western traditionally Christian countries there are growing numbers of Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus. The Bishops expressed serious concern and firm condemnation with regard to the anti-conversion law which Buddhist lobbies want parliament to pass: “The law, if it were approved, would only polarise society in a religious sense and foster hatred between members of different religions”.
In view of increasing protests and violence the President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Sinhalese and Buddhist, warned Buddhists and Sinhalese that incitement of hatred or violence against Christians and Christian places of worship would incur in severe punishment. In a public appeal the President called on the people and the media to promote religious and ethnic harmony
Sri Lanka’s Constitution gives pre-eminent place to Buddhism while guaranteeing believers of other faiths freedom to practice their religion. The Island’s population of 20 million is 65% Buddhist, 15% Hindu, 9% Christian and 9% Muslim. (PA) (Fides Service 21/1/2004 lines 52 words 619)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Healing War Trauma: Missionaries Work To Restore Harmony In Society: Church Continues To Work To Protect Peace Process
Colombo (Fides Service) – “Healing War Trauma” is the theme of Seminar for Formation Staff organised by the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate OMI in Sri Lanka from 14 to 21 December. About 20 participants, religious and laity, will discuss problems and identify solutions to organise assistance to displaced families, children, individual adults traumatised by years of civil war and to build a culture of reconciliation at all levels of society, the organiser of the Seminar OMI Father Oswald Firth told Fides Service.
The work of the missionaries continues at this stage of uncertainty on the Island which has yet to recover from the recent institutional crisis between the Prime Minister Ranil Wikremesinghe and President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka continues to offer the peace process full support. Local sources told Fides “the crisis has had a positive effect because the peace process now involves directly the President’s Office, hitherto on the margin of the talks”. It should also be said that the crisis did not shake the foundations of the peace process: both President and Prime Minister support the cease fire and negotiations. This means that the proposal to be presented to the Tamil, is stronger and it has the backing of top national institutions .
Another positive element in the framework of negotiations is open support for the peace process offered by the international community and subjects involved in reconstruction, Japan, European Union, United States and the World Bank which have already allocated about 4,2 million dollars of aid in the next five years.
One problem which remains to be solved however is the inclusion on the US list of terrorist groups of the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam. This fact strengthens the Sri Lankan government’s position in the talks, while on the outcome of the negotiations depends the LTTE’s removal from the black list.
Without a doubt – local sources told Fides – the role of religious leader in the conflict is crucial: Buddhism and Christianity can be real bridges of understanding and dialogue between communities of different believers. Their role, focused above all on the social aspect, is appreciated by civil leaders and mediators alike.
(PA) (Fides Service 15/12/2003 lines words)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Crisis In Sri Lanka, A Question Of Reaching Political Agreement , Could Assume A Religious Hue
Colombo (Fides Service) – The present crisis in Sri Lanka risks becoming a mixture of politics and religion: reliable local analysts who prefer to remain unnamed tell Fides. They say that the peace process is influenced by the search for political agreement between Sri Lanka’s President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
“Many major Buddhist communities, monasteries and leading personalities view the peace process with diffidence. Unwilling to make concessions to the Tamil (many are Hindus), they want to Sri Lanka’s identity to be Sinhalese and Buddhist and they represent an obstacle to peace. President Kumaratunga wants to step over this Buddhist position for her own political advantage to win back a majority in parliament. The danger is that the conflict risks assuming religious importance”.
While we hear the news that the state of emergency has been lifted, the local source confirms that the atmosphere of uncertainty remains, especially among the ordinary people: “On the one hand the peace process is popular because since the signing of the cease-fire more than a year ago life has returned to normal; but on the other the wounds inflicted by 17 years of war run deep and reconciliation between Sinhalese and Tamils is difficult. In the meantime the Tamils are watching to see what happens next: their proposal is clear and it steers towards autonomy within a federal framework.»
The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, our local source explains, has always acted as a bridge between north and south and it continues to do so today: “The fact that the local Church has members on both sides has enabled it to be a balancing element, fostering reconciliation between Sinhalese and Tamil communities.”
A missionary in Sri Lanka for years involved in working for peace and justice shares this opinion. He tells Fides: “The leaders’ political agenda could be an obstacle on the path of the peace process started over a year ago. The president wants to increase her political majority and she is playing the card of being a stronghold for the Sinhalese and Buddhist identity of the Island, refusing to grant Tamils too many concessions. Not everyone sees the peace process as a means for The Island’s economic and social development and better image on the international scene. Many are still locked in the logic of barricades between the two ethnic-religious groups. And in this picture the military lobby has a heavy impact, certainly not in favour of peace ”.
Sri Lanka’s constitution gives first place to Buddhism while guaranteeing the right of followers of other religions to practice their faith. It has a population of 20 million: 18 % Tamil Hindus, 9% Christian and 9% Muslim. (PA) (Fides Service 7/11/2003 Lines: 44 Words: 494)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Missionaries Call For World Wide Prayers For Peace In Sri Lanka
Colombo (Fides Service) – Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate OMI in Colombo and Jaffna have called for world wide prayers for peace in Sri Lanka. The Missionaries voiced to Fides Service their concern over the present national institutional crisis and ask international support for the peace process and prayers of Catholics all over the world.
The Oblate Missionaries are the most numerous in Sri Lanka with 300 members in two OMI Provinces: Colombo in the south and Jaffna in the north, an area under control of the LTTE Tamil rebels. For 17 years during the civil war it was difficult, and at times impossible, for the members of these Provinces to communicate. Since the cease fire agreement was reached in February contact has intensified and missionaries now find it easier to promote reconciliation and peace with more co-ordinated activity at the cultural level and also to provide assistance for war victims.
The OMI Provinces guided by Father Oswald Firth and Father Paul Jeevendra are united in a campaign to support the peace process and to increase awareness among the people. They have also begun special therapy for people suffering from psychological trauma due to years of civil conflict, especially children and young people in the Jaffna area who have known nothing but war as a daily experience. (PA) (Fides Service 5/11/2003 lines 22 words 228)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - “In This Critical Situation In Sri Lanka The Local Church Tries To Mediate To Prevent Tension From Bursting Into Violence”: President Of Catholic Bishops’ Conference Tells Fides Service
Colombo (Fides Service ) – The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is courageously making every effort to serve as a bridge between the sides in conflict with realism, Archbishop Gomis of Colombo who is also President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference tells Fides Service. “We are trying to build a bridge between the political groups who are negotiating. We are present at the talks and hope to succeed in mediating an agreement”, said Archbishop Gomis, commenting the critical moment in Sri Lanka caught in an institutional battle between president Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wikramasinghe. “The crisis is a cause of concern among the people but as yet there have been no scenes of violence. Moreover we have our Christian communities praying for a peaceful future”. “I cannot say that I am very optimistic”, the Archbishop admitted, “but we will do all we can to restore serenity”.
While the Prime Minister is on a visit to the United States the President, using the power conferred by the Constitution, sacked the ministers of Defence, Home and Communications taking over the respective duties herself. She also suspended Parliament for two weeks and declared a state of emergency explaining her actions with the need to guarantee the country security and stability and not to make wrong concessions to Tamil separatist rebels. Since 1985 Sri Lanka has been torn apart by civil war between the regular army and guerrilla troops of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The fighting official stopped with a cease fire agreement signed last year 2002 in February, followed by a series of negotiations for peace.
Some months ago the peace talks came to a halt, but recently the Tamil rebels presented a global plan for ending the conflict including the installation of an ad interim governing authority in the Tamil controlled north of Sri Lanka. According to the Tamil plan the interim authorities would have power to impose taxes, keep order, control external trade in a framework of a federal system. The LTTE asked Norway, which has acted as mediator, to organise meetings to discuss the plan accepted by government members and diplomats as a new promise for peace in Sri Lanka..
Ministers of Wikramasinghe’s government met Tamil leaders and said they were hopeful that the rebels’ proposal would be accepted. But President Kumaratunga affirmed it would mean granting too much to the guerrilla movement and she accused the Premier’s Party of wanting to change the country’s constitutional organisation.
Sri Lanka is feeling the political consequences of difficult co-existence between a President belonging to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and a Prime Minister head of another Party, the United National Front, which has a slight majority in Parliament. In this situation of political uncertainty, observers fear the dissolving of parliament (within the powers of the President) and announcement of early elections, which would be the third vote in four years. (PA) (Fides Service 5/11/2003 lines 48 words 534)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Peace Talks, Frozen Since April, To Resume In 2004: Government Will Examine Tamil Tigers’ Proposal
Colombo (Fides Service) – Peace talks between the government of Sri Lanka and Tamil separatist rebels (LTTE Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) frozen in April, will resume early next year according to a government spokesman. In fact on 31 October the LTTE will hand the government a memorandum which will serve as the basis of the resumed peace talks. The parties will start preliminary discussions in November to pave the way for talks on central questions in the new year. The LTTE proposal should include a temporary administration in the north and east of the Island, mostly in the hands of the rebel troops, and most probably will also include a request for power in the political and financial sectors. For its part the government has already put forward a plan giving extensive powers to the Tamil community in matters of reconstruction and resettlement of refugees, but not with regard control of politics or security. However the government spokesman stressed the importance of the fact that for the first time LTTE rebels are proposing a temporary administration and stating their requests clearly. Preliminary talks should also examine requests made by Muslim political leaders who want to send a separate delegation to the talks. Muslims in Sri Lanka, 8% of the population and mostly Tamil speaking who consider themselves a separate ethnic group, accuse the LTTE of extortion and abductions despite the truce. Civil war in Sri Lanka which started in 1983, has caused the death of at least 64.000 people. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 24/10/2003 – lines 18; words 244)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Mission Sunday: Go Reconcile, Proclaim The Lord Of Peace!
Colombo (Fides Service) – The theme for Mission Sunday 2003 chosen by the Pontifical Mission Societies in Sri Lanka was “Go reconcile, proclaim the Lord of Peace!” Material for the occasion, leaflets, collection boxes and posters prepared by the National PMS Office was distributed to the island’s 338 parishes. Mission Sunday theme aims at stimulating Sri Lanka’s Catholics to take an active part in rebuilding national reconciliation and harmony after 25 years of civil war in which at least 60,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands left homeless.
Mobilisation for Mission Sunday has involved also the local press. A supplement was planned in the Catholic News Paper in the local languages. In some parishes mini Mission Bazars were organised with items brought in by local Catholics.
Father Tony Martin, PMS national Director stressed the importance of remembering the Holy Father’s own contribution to Mission. “His example is one of peace and renewal which the Church in Sri Lanka wishes to follow. Each of us has a great responsibility to build peace in our country and in the world. PA (Fides Service 18/10/2003 EM lines 17 Words: 197)

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Peace Walks With Children: Jesuits In The North Launch Programme For Reconciliation Between Sinhalese And Tamil Youth
Batticaloa (Fides Service) – Peace is built with small steps say the Jesuit Fathers in northern Sri Lanka in Batticaloa, a mainly Tamil area for many years the scene of civil conflict between the army and Tamil separatists. “In Batticaloa we are seeing a miracle of reconciliation” Jesuit Father Paul Satkunanayagam tells Fides Service. In collaboration with the University of Canada Father Paul has launched a reciprocal knowledge programme in view of building friendships between Sinhalese and Tamil children living in this war-torn area.
The nine month Butterfly Garden programme consists of weekly group meetings for children aged from 6 to 16 at which the youngsters, led by animators, share theatre, music, drawing, study, discussion.
Father Paul is convinced that “in an atmosphere is serenity and creativity the children will acquire confidence in themselves and in others and in the world. They will learn to tell stories, recite poetry, act, paint and communicate without obstacles or prejudice. Peace – he says – begins with children, with their innocent eyes and their ability to give affection and friendship.”
The initiative is in keeping with indications given by the Catholic Bishops of Sri Lanka in a recent message in which they call on the government and the Tamil rebels to resume the stalled peace process and they call on all citizens of Sri Lanka to play an active role in promoting peace.
The Catholic Church is tirelessly working to promote reconciliation at the ground roots level organising programmes for education to dialogue especially for youth and children in schools, parishes and dioceses. Local Church members are sure that peace is possible because it is desired by the whole population exhausted by twenty years of civil war. The Church, having members among the Sinhalese and the Tamil, is in a good position to promote reconciliation.
Civil war in Sri Lanka broke out in 1983 and it has killed about 65,000 and left more than a million homeless. In February 2002 a cease fire was signed and negotiations were started with the mediation of Norway. After a temporary interruption of the talks, when violence resumed, new sessions of negotiations have been announced for September 2003. PA (Fides Service 3/9/2003 EM lines 38 Words: 463)