Only good can overcome Sri Lanka evil, say churches

-16/06/06

Churches in Sri Lanka ha


Only good can overcome Sri Lanka evil, say churches

-16/06/06

Churches in Sri Lanka have condemned the recent ìbarbaricî and ìevilî attack on a bus in the northern part of the island, which killed over 60 people.

The incident seemed consciously designed to imperil the fragile ceasefire between the government and Tamil militants striving for an autonomous homeland.

ìThe deliberate and brutal attack on innocent civilians at Kebittigollawa needs to be vehemently and outrightly condemnedî, declared the Anglican Bishop of Colombo, invoking the words of Jesus that only good can finally overcome evil.

An investigation is underway, but observers say that the sophistication and intensity of the attack points the finger at the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam.

ìAttacking civilian targets with villainous violence cannot be condonedî in any circumstances, the Commission for Justice and Peace of the ecumenical National Christian Council (NCC) of Sri Lanka added in a statement following the attack.

NCC spokesperson Santha Fernando said that the incident was a new low in the long-running conflict.

Bishop Duleep de Chickera commented: ìThe calculated murder of simple villagers including several children going about an honest day’s work is a crime against humanityÖ It is a cause for deep shame and disappointment that our society has for whatever reason produced people capable of such acts of violence. Our inability to deal with the hatred behind such attacks is an indictment on all our respective cultures.î

He continued: ìI call upon all people to resist the provocative nature and intention of this attack and to remain calm. Our respective religions require the highest respect for all life and we best demonstrate this in protecting life. The shared sorrow of all communities – Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and others – in such instances has a potential to cross our respective cultures and strengthen our common humanity and resolve towards peace.î

ìJesus taught that it is only good that can overcome evil,î he said. ìGoodness out of the depths of suffering and despair is even better equipped to defeat evil.î

The rest of the Colombo Anglican leaderís response called upon the Government ìto note that while retaliatory attacks may be intended for select targets and to defuse social anger, they invariably harm innocent civilians as such recent strikes have proved. Equally serious is the possibility that these strikes could spark off a war that most do not want.î

He urged ìall political parties, the LTTE and other interest groups to acknowledge that our infighting, indecisiveness and lesser agendas have collectively contributed towards this havoc. They must Ö cooperate transparently and single-mindedly for peace, and in this way end the misery of the people that they claim to represent, protect and provide for. To have ears to hear the violence and fear that surrounds the people, and not hear, is an equally serious breach of leadership and trust.î

Concluded the bishop: ìIn this environment of violence and intimidation the words we speak and the actions we take our either in the direction of violence and suffering or peace and harmony. No one can remain or claim to remain neutral.î

[Also on Ekklesia: Sri Lanka religious leaders urge government and rebels to talk; Christians urged to stir up a storm in a tea cup; Millions mourn tsunami victims one year on; Christians recycle tsunami rubble; Asian churches to challenge violence against children; Christians and Buddhists should love humanity, says Cardinal; Asian Christian Theologies : Volume 1. South Asia]


Only good can overcome Sri Lanka evil, say churches

-16/06/06

Churches in Sri Lanka have condemned the recent ìbarbaricî and ìevilî attack on a bus in the northern part of the island, which killed over 60 people.

The incident seemed consciously designed to imperil the fragile ceasefire between the government and Tamil militants striving for an autonomous homeland.

ìThe deliberate and brutal attack on innocent civilians at Kebittigollawa needs to be vehemently and outrightly condemnedî, declared the Anglican Bishop of Colombo, invoking the words of Jesus that only good can finally overcome evil.

An investigation is underway, but observers say that the sophistication and intensity of the attack points the finger at the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam.

ìAttacking civilian targets with villainous violence cannot be condonedî in any circumstances, the Commission for Justice and Peace of the ecumenical National Christian Council (NCC) of Sri Lanka added in a statement following the attack.

NCC spokesperson Santha Fernando said that the incident was a new low in the long-running conflict.

Bishop Duleep de Chickera commented: ìThe calculated murder of simple villagers including several children going about an honest day’s work is a crime against humanityÖ It is a cause for deep shame and disappointment that our society has for whatever reason produced people capable of such acts of violence. Our inability to deal with the hatred behind such attacks is an indictment on all our respective cultures.î

He continued: ìI call upon all people to resist the provocative nature and intention of this attack and to remain calm. Our respective religions require the highest respect for all life and we best demonstrate this in protecting life. The shared sorrow of all communities – Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and others – in such instances has a potential to cross our respective cultures and strengthen our common humanity and resolve towards peace.î

ìJesus taught that it is only good that can overcome evil,î he said. ìGoodness out of the depths of suffering and despair is even better equipped to defeat evil.î

The rest of the Colombo Anglican leaderís response called upon the Government ìto note that while retaliatory attacks may be intended for select targets and to defuse social anger, they invariably harm innocent civilians as such recent strikes have proved. Equally serious is the possibility that these strikes could spark off a war that most do not want.î

He urged ìall political parties, the LTTE and other interest groups to acknowledge that our infighting, indecisiveness and lesser agendas have collectively contributed towards this havoc. They must Ö cooperate transparently and single-mindedly for peace, and in this way end the misery of the people that they claim to represent, protect and provide for. To have ears to hear the violence and fear that surrounds the people, and not hear, is an equally serious breach of leadership and trust.î

Concluded the bishop: ìIn this environment of violence and intimidation the words we speak and the actions we take our either in the direction of violence and suffering or peace and harmony. No one can remain or claim to remain neutral.î

[Also on Ekklesia: Sri Lanka religious leaders urge government and rebels to talk; Christians urged to stir up a storm in a tea cup; Millions mourn tsunami victims one year on; Christians recycle tsunami rubble; Asian churches to challenge violence against children; Christians and Buddhists should love humanity, says Cardinal; Asian Christian Theologies : Volume 1. South Asia]