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A New Year Message from the Bishop of Colombo

Each new year marks a new beginning; our traditional cultural customs emphasise goodwill and renewed relationships. When we greet each other with Suba aluth avurudhak wewa or Putthu varuda valthukkal, we shall hope that in this new year and beyond, all our people can live and work together in unity, with peace, justice and dignity, states Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera Bishop of Colombo in a New Year message. The message states further.

Every citizen of our country undoubtedly yearns for peace and therefore will welcome the present peace initiative in so far as it means the silencing of guns and bombs and the consequent senseless loss of lives. That is why the consensual mood of our people has broadly welcomed the ceasefire agreement.

At the same time, fears that the process may become counter-productive breakdown or lose track of its goals have been felt and publicly expressed. Consequently, we need to recognize these fears and deal with them 'on the move'. All recognized groups have a role in this and need to be heard. In the long term, the success of the initiative can only be brought about by all parties working towards a national consensus on this issue. This consensus must uphold consultation and transparency, and recognise the fundamental human rights of all people, an adherence to the rule of law, free debate and dissent. Till then, the ceasefire agreement must receive our cautious and critical co-operation.

The peace process is however only one step on the way to creating a just and equal society in our country. We must beware that the euphoria about peace does not blind us to the poverty and deprivation around us. We must beware of supporting policies that place further hardships and burdens on the marginalized and weak in our society. Every citizen of our country is entitled to the basic amenities of life and to freedom from want. Economic reform must be accompanied with welfare.

On this blessed and special day, our prayer to God, creator of all, is that our leaders and our people may have 'the courage to change the things we can, the humility to accept the things we cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference'. 

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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