By Sarah Hannan and Randev Jayasinha
Sri Lanka has a long history of disputes and intolerance over the centuries, yet the culture of this country has been built on racial integration.
When an individual falls ill, friends and family rush to make vows at the nearest kovil, shrine, or temple and seek blessings from all deities for that person’s recovery.
How can extremism raise its ugly head in a country like ours? This is a question many have come to ask.
It took 30 years to rid the country of terrorism. How long would it take to rid the country of this wave of extremism? A question no one seems to be able to give a clear answer to.
The Sunday Morning spoke to few religious leaders to get their views on interfaith reconciliation and reinstating national unity following the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.
Observing faith
“I think we can bring about national harmony through a holistic as well as cultural approach – two aspects the public must deeply consider. By taking into account these two features, Sri Lanka can collaborate between its multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities and work together by understanding their differences,” Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thero said.
The Hindu and Buddhist communities in Sri Lanka have a connection of sorts where they have established links and gained a deeper understanding of each other’s cultural background and beliefs.
A similar acceptance is also seen in teachings of Christianity as well. The public have begun to understand and accept different opinions in beliefs and cultures, which the Thera went on to say was positive.
“Back in the day, when a group of people of various religious backgrounds went to eat something, a Muslim individual would never have asked whether the meat was Halal or not, but now they always request for Halal certified foods,” Ven. Ratana Thera commented.
According to the Thera, this type of selectivity would eventually lead to a division in society as such occurrences in the past were non-existent.
Therefore, for the sake of national unity and religious harmony, we urge all communities to interact and understand others’ cultures and ideologies, and to go about observing their own faith in a liberal and balanced manner.
Sharing love
“We have been born to a world with a variety of different ethnicities and religions. Therefore, primarily, we must be mindful of that, and respect each other for who we are,” Fr. Melvin appealed.
He went on to say that the problem in modern society is that everyone had become selfish and greedy. “We only think of ourselves, of our kingdoms, of our benefits, and of me, myself, and I.
“I believe that God has shown to us very clearly that we all need to be sharing his love, no matter who the person is, irrespective of their own faiths and beliefs,” he stated.
Therefore, he strongly advised that the people of Sri Lanka be helpful, respectful, and kind to one another. “If we displayed these qualities, there may have never been a problem amongst communities to begin with.”
Reinstate national harmony
Centre for Society and Religion Executive Director Attorney-at-Law Fr. Ashok Steven, speaking to The Sunday Morning, stated that the Easter Sunday bombings were an attack on the entire Sri Lankan community, who were learning to trust in each other and had commenced their long journey to reconcile and establish national unity following the end of the war in 2009.
“Setting aside all differences, we must rise again after this passes over and we must become a resurrected community. Not only the Catholics, but all religious communities should resuscitate from this tragic situation. Together as a country and as Sri Lankans, we must overcome this grief and reinstate national harmony.”
Coexist without conflict
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) President Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe, when contacted, stated that Sri Lankans should respect, love, and honour humanity, irrespective of religion, caste, and ethnicity.
“All humans in this beautiful country should have respect for life, the dignity of each person, freedom of choice and religion, and should reject discrimination on account of faith and also enlighten young minds with solid moral, civil, and religious education.”
He further noted that this initiative had to be based on building relationships with all diverse stakeholders in our society. One has the right to believe that his way is the only truth, but has to be able to coexist with people of multiple cultures, faiths, and traditions in the same public space, without any conflict or discrimination.
HRCSL to promote peaceful coexistence
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is to intensify efforts to promote communal harmony and peaceful coexistence following the Easter Sunday attacks.
In a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the HRCSL said that it was extremely shocked by the terrifying terror attacks perpetrated at several places on Easter Sunday.
“We honour the memory of the police officers who lost their lives while carrying out their duties, and extend our heartfelt condolences to you, to all fellow officers, and members of the bereaved families,” the HRCSL said.
The HRCSL said that when considering the challenges that Sri Lankan society face in the aftermath of these incidents, the Commission was of the view that the main challenge was to prevent religious division and any resulting violence, as well as promote communal harmony.
Therefore, we are of the opinion that the Commission’s main duty is to prevent serious violations of human rights that would result from such tensions and violence.
Accordingly, the Commission’s Head Office and its 10 regional offices will liaise with regional civil society organisations and relevant state institutions in order to carry out interventions in areas where there is unrest on the basis of religious divisions and to act as a body to facilitate communication among those communities.
“We will also be intensifying previous measures taken by the Commission to promote communal harmony and peaceful coexistence,” the HRCSL said.
The Commission also noted that it was the Police Department which was empowered by the law to prevent such violent activities, and so they sincerely hoped that the attention of the IGP had been drawn in that regard.
“We firmly acknowledge that investigations to identify the perpetrators of these crimes should be given your primary attention. At the same time, we recognise that violence could be instigated by antisocial elements who, for personal revenge or narrow political gains, wish to exploit the tense situation that has arisen in the country. That would amount to an unbearable national tragedy,” the HRCSL said.
The HRCSL requested the full cooperation of the Police Department with regard to the proposed activities of the Commission, and anticipate the full commitment of the IGP to prevent any possible religious violence.
Sri Lanka has a long history of disputes and intolerance over the centuries, yet the culture of this country has been built on racial integration.
When an individual falls ill, friends and family rush to make vows at the nearest kovil, shrine, or temple and seek blessings from all deities for that person’s recovery.
How can extremism raise its ugly head in a country like ours? This is a question many have come to ask.
It took 30 years to rid the country of terrorism. How long would it take to rid the country of this wave of extremism? A question no one seems to be able to give a clear answer to.
The Sunday Morning spoke to few religious leaders to get their views on interfaith reconciliation and reinstating national unity following the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.
Observing faith
“I think we can bring about national harmony through a holistic as well as cultural approach – two aspects the public must deeply consider. By taking into account these two features, Sri Lanka can collaborate between its multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities and work together by understanding their differences,” Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thero said.
The Hindu and Buddhist communities in Sri Lanka have a connection of sorts where they have established links and gained a deeper understanding of each other’s cultural background and beliefs.
A similar acceptance is also seen in teachings of Christianity as well. The public have begun to understand and accept different opinions in beliefs and cultures, which the Thera went on to say was positive.
“Back in the day, when a group of people of various religious backgrounds went to eat something, a Muslim individual would never have asked whether the meat was Halal or not, but now they always request for Halal certified foods,” Ven. Ratana Thera commented.
According to the Thera, this type of selectivity would eventually lead to a division in society as such occurrences in the past were non-existent.
Therefore, for the sake of national unity and religious harmony, we urge all communities to interact and understand others’ cultures and ideologies, and to go about observing their own faith in a liberal and balanced manner.
Sharing love
“We have been born to a world with a variety of different ethnicities and religions. Therefore, primarily, we must be mindful of that, and respect each other for who we are,” Fr. Melvin appealed.
He went on to say that the problem in modern society is that everyone had become selfish and greedy. “We only think of ourselves, of our kingdoms, of our benefits, and of me, myself, and I.
“I believe that God has shown to us very clearly that we all need to be sharing his love, no matter who the person is, irrespective of their own faiths and beliefs,” he stated.
Therefore, he strongly advised that the people of Sri Lanka be helpful, respectful, and kind to one another. “If we displayed these qualities, there may have never been a problem amongst communities to begin with.”
Reinstate national harmony
Centre for Society and Religion Executive Director Attorney-at-Law Fr. Ashok Steven, speaking to The Sunday Morning, stated that the Easter Sunday bombings were an attack on the entire Sri Lankan community, who were learning to trust in each other and had commenced their long journey to reconcile and establish national unity following the end of the war in 2009.
“Setting aside all differences, we must rise again after this passes over and we must become a resurrected community. Not only the Catholics, but all religious communities should resuscitate from this tragic situation. Together as a country and as Sri Lankans, we must overcome this grief and reinstate national harmony.”
Coexist without conflict
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) President Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe, when contacted, stated that Sri Lankans should respect, love, and honour humanity, irrespective of religion, caste, and ethnicity.
“All humans in this beautiful country should have respect for life, the dignity of each person, freedom of choice and religion, and should reject discrimination on account of faith and also enlighten young minds with solid moral, civil, and religious education.”
He further noted that this initiative had to be based on building relationships with all diverse stakeholders in our society. One has the right to believe that his way is the only truth, but has to be able to coexist with people of multiple cultures, faiths, and traditions in the same public space, without any conflict or discrimination.
HRCSL to promote peaceful coexistence
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is to intensify efforts to promote communal harmony and peaceful coexistence following the Easter Sunday attacks.
In a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the HRCSL said that it was extremely shocked by the terrifying terror attacks perpetrated at several places on Easter Sunday.
“We honour the memory of the police officers who lost their lives while carrying out their duties, and extend our heartfelt condolences to you, to all fellow officers, and members of the bereaved families,” the HRCSL said.
The HRCSL said that when considering the challenges that Sri Lankan society face in the aftermath of these incidents, the Commission was of the view that the main challenge was to prevent religious division and any resulting violence, as well as promote communal harmony.
Therefore, we are of the opinion that the Commission’s main duty is to prevent serious violations of human rights that would result from such tensions and violence.
Accordingly, the Commission’s Head Office and its 10 regional offices will liaise with regional civil society organisations and relevant state institutions in order to carry out interventions in areas where there is unrest on the basis of religious divisions and to act as a body to facilitate communication among those communities.
“We will also be intensifying previous measures taken by the Commission to promote communal harmony and peaceful coexistence,” the HRCSL said.
The Commission also noted that it was the Police Department which was empowered by the law to prevent such violent activities, and so they sincerely hoped that the attention of the IGP had been drawn in that regard.
“We firmly acknowledge that investigations to identify the perpetrators of these crimes should be given your primary attention. At the same time, we recognise that violence could be instigated by antisocial elements who, for personal revenge or narrow political gains, wish to exploit the tense situation that has arisen in the country. That would amount to an unbearable national tragedy,” the HRCSL said.
The HRCSL requested the full cooperation of the Police Department with regard to the proposed activities of the Commission, and anticipate the full commitment of the IGP to prevent any possible religious violence.