Missionary Oblates promote National Unity in war hit Sri Lanka
Oct 04, 2016
Oblate Institute of Higher Learning (OIHL) commenced a Diploma Course for expedite National Unity and Reconciliation.
Sri Lanka has been ravaged by three decades civil war, due to ethnic tensions between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. The conflict cost the lives of an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 citizens and hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced. Although the war ended in May 18, 2009, ethnic division remains entrenched and human rights abuses are widespread.
Addressing the inaugural session of the "Diploma Course in National Reconciliation and Peace Building,” Professor Shirley Lal Wijesinghe of University of Kelaniya said that this initiative of conducting a regular academic program will enable many of those who are engaged in post-war peace building in this country in particular and in Asia in general to formulate a solid frame of reference an d it will be a ready resource for strengthening their engagement and commitment.
“I wish that the program becomes an encounter between those involved I peace endeavors.” Said Wijesinghe at the inauguration ceremony of the OIHL Diploma Course held at the auditorium of the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) in Colombo on October 01, 2016.
He added, “While there are many who are committed to the cause of peace, there aren’t many spaces for all those engaged in peace building after the deadly war too come together irrespective of their ideological positions.”
The Diploma course consist of four certificate courses such as Conflict Mitigation and Transformation, Inter Religious Dialogue for cultural Integration and Peace and Reconciliation, Psychological Counseling for Peace and Reconciliation and Social Engagement for Peace and Reconciliation.
OIHL is an institute runs by the Oblate Mary Immaculate (OMI) congregation in Sri Lanka which started their missionary works since November, 1847. OMI priests work in field of social works such as activities of dialogue among religions and ministries for justice, peace and environment.
Addressing the inaugural session of the "Diploma Course in National Reconciliation and Peace Building,” Professor Shirley Lal Wijesinghe of University of Kelaniya said that this initiative of conducting a regular academic program will enable many of those who are engaged in post-war peace building in this country in particular and in Asia in general to formulate a solid frame of reference an d it will be a ready resource for strengthening their engagement and commitment.
“I wish that the program becomes an encounter between those involved I peace endeavors.” Said Wijesinghe at the inauguration ceremony of the OIHL Diploma Course held at the auditorium of the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) in Colombo on October 01, 2016.
He added, “While there are many who are committed to the cause of peace, there aren’t many spaces for all those engaged in peace building after the deadly war too come together irrespective of their ideological positions.”
The Diploma course consist of four certificate courses such as Conflict Mitigation and Transformation, Inter Religious Dialogue for cultural Integration and Peace and Reconciliation, Psychological Counseling for Peace and Reconciliation and Social Engagement for Peace and Reconciliation.
OIHL is an institute runs by the Oblate Mary Immaculate (OMI) congregation in Sri Lanka which started their missionary works since November, 1847. OMI priests work in field of social works such as activities of dialogue among religions and ministries for justice, peace and environment.
Meanwhile Ranil-Maitri government has been taken some steps to heal the wounds of war victims and established the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) which have a broader vision such as “a strong, stable, progressive, inclusive and peace-loving nation where all Sri Lankans co-exist in harmony and unity, while diversity and national identity is respected and celebrated with a guarantee of equal opportunity in economic, social, cultural and political spheres for every citizen.”
Talking (Through email) to Lanka News Web Northern Province Chief Minister, C. V. Wigneshwaran said that the government has put the cart before the horse.
“It is going at snail's pace on the War Crimes, it has not withdrawn the Military from our areas, it continues to take decisions pertaining to our people unilaterally, have not released the PTA prisoners against whom the only evidence often is a confession extracted from them, have not stopped building unauthorized Buddhist Temples and Statues with the help of Army in areas where no Buddhists live, have not taken steps regarding the Army actively supporting Southern Fishermen coming illegally and taking permanent residence on our sea shore in Mullaitivu and other areas, have not seven years after the war, still told us what happened to those taken into custody and are said to be missing still.
Under the circumstances without creating the proper ambience and political climate it is useless indulging in the reconciliation process. It would amount to trying to buy us up.” said Northern Province Chief Minister.
By Lawrence Ferdinando, Colombo.
Under the circumstances without creating the proper ambience and political climate it is useless indulging in the reconciliation process. It would amount to trying to buy us up.” said Northern Province Chief Minister.
By Lawrence Ferdinando, Colombo.
