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| Sunday, 9 May 2004 |
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Editor, Sunday Observer. E-mail: [email protected] Snail mail : Sunday Observer, 35, D.R.Wijewardana Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Telephone : 94 11 2429239 / 2331181 Fax : 94 11 2429230 A vital role for religions The coming together of the country's religious leaders in a spirit of unity to promote the cause of peace, augurs well for the country. These tidings were conveyed to the country when a high profile Catholic delegation headed by Archbishop Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis called on the Venerable Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters recently. Essentially what these religious leaders stressed was that if they arrive at a consensus on the major issues facing the country, including peace, and present it to the country, it would help in rallying the people round their cause and bringing harmony to the land. The religious dignitaries also laid emphasis on the need to activate the Inter Religious Committee to advise the Government on the peace process. This committee consists of representatives of the major religions of the country. This meeting of minds and hearts among our religious leaders could be said to be a major development in the context of the ongoing peace effort. To the extent to which the peace endeavour is a hearts and minds battle, to that extent the religions of Sri Lanka could be considered vital. For, the clergyman of all religions continue to be a principal awareness - raising agent in our culture. They play a pivotal role in moulding popular attitudes and aspirations. Accordingly their energies need to be harnessed by the State in the peace process. The fact that the religions of Sri Lanka are today speaking in almost one voice about the need for a just, negotiated peace, would make this task of enlisting their co-operation for the peace effort easier. While it would be premature to talk about a hard road ahead, the clergy could play the useful role right now, of preparing the minds and hearts of the public for an absorbing round of negotiations where the virtues of patience, understanding and sharing would figure prominently. In fact, if an atmosphere of humanity and cordiality takes root at the negotiations, hammering out just peace wouldn't prove difficult. This is a task for our clergy and this is why they should be co-opted into the peace effort. They would be needed to prepare the all-important moral climate for the negotiations. There is no ducking the reality that deeply emotive issues are at the heart of our conflict. In fact, some of them could prove extremely incendiary in an environment of polarised politics. If hearts and minds are not prepared to be accommodative and resilient, peace making could prove difficult. Therefore, our clergy would be acting in the national interest if they harness their considerable spiritual and material resources to lay a solid moral foundation for the resumption of the peace process. Their unity and harmony should be effectively used to lighten our national woes. |
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