The anniversary of our National Independence is being celebrated at a time when we have reached a decisive moment in our history. While we claim victory over the militancy of the separatist LTTE there is the incessant plea of the moderate segments of the population that victory in battle is not victory in war. Victory in war has to be achieved through a political solution that is acceptable to the larger majority of our people on both sides of the divide. It has to assure that all of us as citizens of this country are equal, all are free to live and pursue their full measure of happiness irrespective of race, religion, caste, wealth or political affiliation.
It is also the hope of all our fair-minded people that the time has come to restore the rule of law in our country. Both in the North and the South people should feel free and be able to exercise the freedom that is their birthright. Therefore, while we condemn the dastardly acts of violence against individuals, whether they are political leaders, media personnel, the prosperous or political rivals, we strongly appeal that criminals should be dealt with without fear or favour and the freedom of every person should be assured.
While this is a process that should be immediately initiated we have to be mindful of the large number of people in the North and the East who have been battered in the war. There are thousands who are still displaced and living in sub human conditions. Now that almost all the occupied areas have been liberated it is imperative that their living conditions be restored at the earliest. While the difficulty remains to identify the innocent citizen from the militant, that should not remain an excuse to harass innocent people and deprive them of their fundamental rights. It must be remembered that these too are citizens of our country. If we want to keep Sri Lanka an undivided land we must ensure that everyone who is a citizen of this country enjoys equally the rights he or she is entitled to irrespective of all the differences we have imposed on ourselves to foster and protect our narrow sectarian interests.
Undoubtedly there have been heavy casualties on both sides in this war. There are thousands of our soldiers who are maimed and disabled. Many dead and their families bereaved. Similarly there are thousands of innocent civilians who have suffered the same fate. Naturally, the wounds of these tragedies and their scars will remain long. These have to be healed in the shortest possible time. And this is a serious task before us in the coming year.
It will devolve on every citizen of this country to make utmost effort to promote a national integration. The success of this effort will depend on our honesty of purpose and our ability to forgive and forget. Love for the nation and tolerance will be two other important factors. In other words this is a moment when our religious sense should play a vital role and pervade our lives in the highest form without being easily led by bigotry, ultra-nationalism and sectarian interests.
The global economic crisis is also something that attracts our attention. It is futile to think that this is not going to affect us when it has already had its ill effects in several segments of our economy. Therefore, it is very necessary that we take adequate steps to reduce the impact of this crisis. One of the best things that we could do would be to promote an intensive agricultural program. Such a program in the northern and eastern districts would be a very welcome step to promote the welfare of the distressed families in these areas. It will also be a very effective measure to promote their rehabilitation both economically and psychologically.
Shortsighted policies, ill-conceived legislation and political expediency have plagued our country during her many years of Independence. We have been paying dearly for all this
covering over fifty years. The experience has been very bitter especially during the past thirty years. Quite oblivious to all this, and just at the time when the hope of peace is dawning in the horizon, some groups are preparing to bring explosive legislation to create another crisis with religious discord. It is our firm hope that sanity would prevail over sentimentality. We do not deny the problem of so-called "unethical conversions" by some new sects. We Catholics are perhaps the worst affected. But to say the least, the effort to remedy it this way would make the cure worse than the disease.
It would be apposite to remark here that the Christian community in this country has made a very positive and valuable contribution in the battle for Independence. The records of the Ceylon National Congress bear ample testimony to this fact. It is on record that even a Catholic priest was there before the Colonial Secretary in the delegation demanding freedom for Sri Lanka. Our love for this country, our patriotism has never feigned. Just because our community comprises both Sinhala and Tamil adherents we are often misunderstood or rather misrepresented by elements on both sides who stake the welfare of the nation for their own political advantage.
While we stand strong in our patriotism, with equal force we stand for equality, liberty and fraternity. The day these become a reality in our land we will be second to none. It is my firm hope and prayer that the commemoration of Independence this year will help us initiate our journey in this direction.
I gladly direct all our Priests, Religious and Faithful of our Archdiocese to observe Sunday the 1st February as a day of prayer for all those who suffered in this war, particularly for the deceased and maimed soldiers, their bereaved families, those innocent victims who died or got injured trapped in battle and the displaced who are still suffering without any solace. Let us also make the 4th February a day of prayer for peace and prosperity of Sri Lanka.
May God bless our beloved country. May He bring us Peace !
+ Oswald Gomis
Archbishop of Colombo |
