|
|
|
| Sunday, 15 January 2006 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Maha Sangha
appeal against war
by L. B. Wijayasiri in Kandy On a written request made by members of Maha Sangha representing more than 30 leading Buddhist Temples in the Northern, Eastern and North Central Provinces, leading members of Maha Sangha of three main sects (Nikayas) headed by Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thera of the Malwatta Mahavihara Chapter have appealed to President Mahinda Rajapakse, the leadership of the LTTE and the International Community to take effective steps to prevent a war of any form taking place in the country again. In their memorandum, they have appealed to the International Community in general and US Ambassador and Indian High Commissioner in particular to influence the LTTE to stop on-going hostilities against government security forces and to prevent the LTTE from creating a war situation in Sri Lanka. In a Press release issued by National Institute of Social Development under the signatures of Most. Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Annunayake Thera the President and Ven. Yatinuwara Sumana Thera the Secretary stated that Sri Lanka is an independent country where people of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and other ethnic groups enriched with Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Catholic religious teaching have been living in peace and harmony for centuries. "But unfortunately a war has been fought between the state and separatist armed groups in the Northern and Eastern provinces during the past two decades. The people in general have painfully experienced the ordeal of the situation. It is true that, as a result of various deliberations for peace held in the past, a peaceful atmosphere prevailed in the country, despite the fact that killing of people did not end completely. Nevertheless, when the number of human lives lost in armed conflicts between the security forces of the state and the armed groups during the past few weeks, is taken into consideration all hopes of the people for peace has been shattered and they are afraid that the flames of the cruel war would destroy the country again. "It is also true that even the International Media has expressed views on the developments in that respect. "Members of Maha Sangha, representing all three Nikayas, met on Friday, January 6, 2006 at the historic sacred city of Anuradhapura under the auspices of national Institute for Social Development, decided to bring this state of affairs to the notice of Mahanayake Thera and to make strong appeals to President Rajapakse and the LTTE to take steps to prevent a war of any form taking place in the country. We also appeal to the International Community to use their good office to
influence the LTTE to prevent that organisation from creating a war
situation in Sri Lanka once again. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
