Let us eliminate threats and capitalise on opportunities
The Easter Sunday carnage was the worst co-ordinated terrorist attack in Sri Lanka, maybe even in the world. Hats off to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith there was no backlash and the people especially Christians and Catholics did not allow their emotions to get the better of their humanity. The other religious leaders and people should learn from the clergy of the Catholic Church how to face a situation like this without counter violence.If the people behaved like this in July 1983 Sri Lanka wouldn’t have faced a 30-year war.That was at a time when Sri Lanka was developing at a faster rate than most of the other South Asian countries. It is history now.
Today, the entire world has taken note of the positive behaviour of Sri Lankans. They are now very sympathetic towards our people. This is the silver lining in the black cloud. Besides it is heartening to see all three leaders President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa arriving at the chapel to express solidarity with the Catholic community immediately after Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith ended his sermon at the special Sunday mass conducted in the Archbishop’s House, one week after black Sunday. This could be a turning point. And it would have been nice and all right thinking Sri Lankans would have appreciated it if prelates from all four Nikayas and the priests of Hindu and Muslim communities also visited the Archbishop’s House on this day.
The world is now keeping an eye on Sri Lankan politicians and religious fraternity how they face the situation in the coming months. If we show them that we are a mature democratic society, the international community will certainly help us to build the nation. For this it is necessary for the majority Buddhists to take the lead role and build confidence among the religious and ethnic minorities. On the other hand the latter should understand the majority thinking and not indulge in activities that would antagonize and provoke them. For example Buddhists should not put up Buddha statues and Catholics their statues at every nook and corner and the Muslims should refrain from constructing mosques everywhere in the city and village. This applies to Hindus and other religions too. There should be some regulation on such construction.
I am a Buddhist and always believe that when there are threats there are opportunities as well. Let us eliminate threats and capitalize on opportunities.
Rohan Abeygunawardena