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| Saturday, 9 November 2002 |
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Southern forum backs peace process by W. T. J. S. Kaviratne, Ambalangoda Special Correspondent
"National Media Organisation for Peace", a media organisation formed in the South to promote peace and ethnic harmony, affiliated to the 'Southern Province United Media Association' held its 'inaugural meeting recently at the Kahawa National Youth Services council's Training Centre. Schoolteachers, student representatives, local politicians, peace activists and provincial media persons and a cross section of persons engaged in tourism were participants in this awareness programme on peace and ethnic harmony. The co-coordinator of 'People's Peace Front', S. P. Nathan making his keynote address said that the consensus of all political parties at this crucial juncture of bringing lasting peace to the nation was indispensable. All the communities of Sri Lanka had already experienced the futility of war waged well over 19 long years and neither party involved in the conflict gained anything. As results, the innocent lives were sacrificed in thousands, more than 65,000 citizens had lost their lives while over 850,000 persons were displaced. According to the available statistics nearly 30,000 persons had become disabled and 8 lakhs were found in refugee camps of many countries of Europe. The worst result was that more than ten thousand children had lost their parents, he said. In addition more than 20 thousand women of the country had become widows. Referring to certain communal minded politicians, he said it was very unfortunate at this sensitive moment, instead of seeking avenues unitedly to find a lasting solution some were trying to derail the peace initiative of the Government through numerous strategies of false propaganda. Deputy Principal, Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda, P. H. Rupananda said now the people of Sri Lanka yearned for peace and they strongly believed that only a political solution could bring lasting peace to the country. By the recent developments and the attitudinal changes of the people since the ceasefire agreement between the Government and the L.T.T.E. which was facilitated by the Norwegian government, it was clearly evident that the people had forged ahead. They were so confident of permanent peace and even the ceasefire now prevalent in the country was also identified as lasting peace he said. 'Politicians of the calibre of the opposition leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa had also realised that. But unfortunately certain politicians tried to politicise peace for their own survival, he said. P. W. T. Dayan, (Year 11 D), Sri Devananda College, said that he was confident that there won't be a war once again in the country. The ceasefire now prevalent in the country was proof of this, he said. After his trip to Jaffna, he realised the importance of unity among the communities. He said if there was no war, all could live happily in the country. During the Peace March of the 'Peace Bridge' programme, he said he found an opportunity to see the massive devastation caused by war. For the first time in his life he said he could meet Tamil pupils of his age at Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Jaffna. Janith Wickremathilake, Member Ambalangoda U.C. (U.N.P.) said that it was very unfortunate, J.V.P. was engaged in a massive propaganda drive to create communal discord in the country. Bringing peace to country was a national necessity and should not be exploited to gain political mileage, he said. 'Workshop seminars of this nature should be held for the politicians to clarify the doubts they were having on the peace initiative of the Government and the role of Norway as the facilitator, he said. The Chief U.N.P. Organiser of Ambalangoda and Southern Provincial Councillor, Upali Sirisumana said, that the U.N.F. Government could obtain the blessings of both the Sri Lankan and the international communities for successfully paving the way for lasting peace in the country. It was the duty of all the peace-loving citizens of the country to extend their cooperation to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Government to bring in peace to the country, forgetting all the differences in party politics, he said. Former principal Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda, Dharmasiri Ginige said that he made a trip to the Jaffna peninsula after the ceasefire agreement between the Government and the LTTE. 'A trip to Jaffna was a must for the Sri Lankans living in the rest of the provinces of the country he said. 'Majority of the arm-chair critics of the country had not seen the ravages of North and East war waged nearly for two decades', he said. 'Youth unrest, mostly due to unemployment could be cited as the root cause for both the Southern and Northern rebellions, he explained. Similarly, both the Tamil and Sinhala politicians could be held responsible for this situation. Violation of rights of minority communities by the majoritarian governments was the other reason for these conflicts, he said. 'Sri Lanka was a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country and the rights of these communities had to be safeguarded. Ravi de Silva, the Engineer Environment, Kandalama Hotel, Kandalama, said that a massive transformation had taken place in the mentality of the people of all walks of life in the country after signing of MoU and the ceasefire agreement between the Government and the LTTE. All the hoteliers and all those who were engaged in the tourist industry were happy, he said. Over the years, the industry was gravely affected due to the North and East war and now the people had confidence of lasting peace and the future rise of tourist arrivals to the country. Asitha Dhanawamsa, Proprietor, Gaya Enterprises, Ambalangoda said, complete peace was possible when the people of this country were ready to call themselves Sri Lankans and not by their ethnic names. Throughout the political history of the country, politicians had tried to remain in power exploiting ethnic issue he explained. Citizens of this country should teach lessons to all the politicians who were trying to politicise the ethnic issue. Mohammed Nazeer, a tour guide from Galle employed at Moonstone Mines, Meetiyagoda said that during the past, the war had directly affected the tourist industry. Gem and Jewellery businesses were also affected and many people employed in this business at Galle lost their employment' he said. Unity among diverse communities was very important and peace could be achieved only through a political solution, he said. Wathudura Rohan Dharmaratne an ex-Air Force employee said for 10 years he was employed in the Sri Lanka Air Force and when the former Minister of Defence, Anuruddha Ratwatta's air craft crash landed in the jungle he was in Vavuniya. He said the majority of innocent civilians living in the war front of the North-East lost their lives in addition to their residences during air raids. In comparison to the PA Government, the U.N.F. was successful in its endeavour to bring peace. Unlike the PA Government, the U.N.P. Government took immediate action to provide essential items to the war affected areas, just after the ceasefire agreement, thus winning the confidence of the affected communities of the North and the East, he said. In addition, speedy action was taken to rehabilitate the infrastructure of the areas damaged by two decades of war, he said. Chamal Gunamuni, a tourist coach driver from Kaluwamodara, Aluthgama said that he was employed as a tourist coach driver for the last 12 years and used to make tours throughout the country for tourists. He revealed during his career he never felt so safe anywhere in the country as now. During the past, he said, he and his colleagues drove through even the city of Colombo with great fear, as Colombo was then considered as the most unsafe place in the country. ################## Peace message conveyed silently
The group of children and youth travelled from CPA Centres in Panadura, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Vavuniya and worked with CPA Colombo to produce the drama, entitled "Let Us Bring Down the Invisible Walls". The troupe of Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim children worked together in the spirit of acceptance and understanding, themselves breaking down the barriers that language, ethnicity and religion impose. CPA's drama was received with great enthusiasm by the assembled dignitaries, including Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando, UN resident Co-ordinator Miguel Bermeo and officials from each of the UN agencies represented in Sri Lanka. Its message of peace sent a resounding message to all about the need to respect one-another's culture, traditions, language and beliefs in order to permanently dismantle the "walls of war" and come to a just and sustainable peace. (Centre for Performing Arts) ################## Martyr in the cause of social peace : Fr. Mike: the cost of discipleship by Sr. Milburga Fernando The 'Opportunity Cost' of eternal life is death. If opportunity cost in a money-economy is measured in terms of price, the opportunity cost of discipleship can be measured in terms of toil and blood. The blood-exchange rate is reserved for those who have the courage and conviction of martyrs and prophets. This was the price Fr. Michael paid, like some of his illustrious peers, notably Archbishop Romero. His blood-money was not depreciated by cheap publicity. It appreciated in value in relation to other currencies minted in pomp and circumstance. What follows in this chapter is a narrative of the events that culminated in his death. The gruesome details of his murder reflect the horrible state of Sri Lankan society at the time, when violence reigned supreme and unchallenged. It is most likely on the balance of probabilities that some vigilante group that had taken upon itself the despicable task of what they considered social cleansing of insurgents, had greater incentive to kill Fr. Michael than the insurgents themselves. Mr. W.T.A. Fernando, High Court Judge, Amparai, in an article published in the Sunday Observer of 26th January, 1997, refers to a Catholic priest who could be easily identified as Fr. Michael Rodrigo. Mr. Fernando goes on to say that this priest was assassinated by insurgents. Mr. Victor Gunawardena, a past President of the Catholic Union and a well known writer on issues relating to the Catholic Church, responded effectively to this statement in the Sunday Observer of 9th February 1997, by saying that 'it is not a judicial finding' and that 'If an independent commission of inquiry was instituted into the circumstances of Fr. Rodrigo's death, the real assassins and their motives could have been ascertained'. Background On November 4th, 1987 the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is alleged to have shot at and injured a businessman (mudalali) named Mr. Madduma, outside his home at Buttala. That night around 11.30 p.m. about 12 armed men in uniform surrounded Fr. Michael's cottage namely, Suba Seth Gedara and called out to him saying they were the police. When he opened the door, the armed men told him that they had information that he was hiding Madduma's assailant. The armed men then searched the cottage, and looked through Fr. Michael's papers and left the premises after about an hour. The next morning 5th November the armed men turned up again and said they were the ones who had come the previous night. They told Fr. Michael that they had received several petitions against him. After inquiring as to who these persons were, Fr. Michael remarked that he was sure the petitions were from six persons whose names he mentioned. Fr. Mike then asked them to consult the other people in the village. A co-worker from Fr. Michael's small community, asked them what the allegations made against Fr. Mike and his co-workers were. The men replied that classes were being conducted and that according to the petitioners they were JVP classes. Fr. Michael and his community explained to the men that the classes they conducted were part of a literacy program and a farmers' education program. The armed men then retorted: "You are helping the JVP to hide". Fr. Michael could only offer them the names of people sent out for training by him, showing them the files. The men then said: "Those in hiding have connections with you. They have survived because of you. What is your connection with the people here? Fr. Michael replied: "As a follower of Jesus Christ I have made an option for the poor. I am not interested in party politics and power politics". When asked for the names of JVP members, Fr. Michael said that since that party was proscribed he had no way of knowing who were members and who were not members of that organisation. They replied, "You will never help us. You are useless. Give us one name". Fr. Michael said he was unable to do so. The armed men then told Fr. Michael not to permit all youth to come to 'Suba Seth Gedara', but only selected ones, saying that it reflected badly on him if the members of the JVP also came. Fr. Mike refused to exclude anyone saying he could not identify JVP members from among the entire lot. On 6th November men in uniform came and picked out one boy, put him into their jeep and warned him not to visit Suba Seth Gedara. So some of the boys who used to come were frightened to do so thereafter. Fr. Michael knew the suffering that people were undergoing. He was, in the context of the tense conditions in the area, literally weeping for the poor. "These people have to suffer because they are poor", he said. He was even heard praying with arms outstretched before the Blessed Sacrament, why he was not taken in, instead of the poor. Murder On account of the tense situation that prevailed, our community had to decide whether to stay on in Suba Seth Gedara where we lived or to withdraw from the Buttala area, at least for a time. Fr. Mike said: "We are a part of the people and they must be consulted. I have consulted them and they are unanimous that we should stay. Otherwise they would have no one to turn to in their difficulties. For me the voice of the people is the voice of God. They have decided we should not leave them and that is the Voice of God for me. In any case I will not foist my opinion on anyone. If the community decides otherwise, I will abide by that decision. After all my bones are light enough to be carried away." On the evening of 10th November, at 5 p.m. Fr. Michael himself prepared the altar for the Eucharist. It was a small table about 6 inches above ground-level. He informed us that the Eucharist would be at five o'clock that evening and not at seven as is usual. On inquiring, why it was to be early, he remarked: "We will have plenty of time for the Lord and we have to make a decision today". Fr.Michael sat behind the altar placed immediately below the window of the meditation room. He was dressed in his normal shirt and sarong. He had placed the shawl he normally used for the celebration, round his shoulders. Seated behind the altar-table, he was already singing the opening hymn when we entered the room. Slips of paper were left at three corners of the room where each of us sit during the Eucharist. Each slip was divided into two columns with the headings. "Reasons for staying" and "Reasons for leaving" writing in his own hand-writing. After about 20 minutes being given to us to enable us to write on those slips of paper, we shared with each other the pros and cons of staying or leaving. With one exception, the others agreed with Fr. Michael that they should stay on at Alukalavita. Although Fr. Michael usually encouraged a lot of spontaneity and creativity from others at the daily Eucharist, that evening he himself had decided on reciting Psalm 130 "Out of the depths have I called unto you O Lord..". The Service proceeded and after Communion, Fr. Michael said: "After all, the lasting things in life are Love and relationships with the people. These things will last even in eternity. Don't be afraid, we will commit ourselves to God." He added "into your hands O Lord I commit my spirit". It was about 7.30 p.m. A shot rang out. My ears were blocked and I fell from my sitting position. I suddenly realized that I lay in a very uncomfortable position. I wanted to change my position but was afraid to stir fearing something further might happen. We were all numb and remained in that condition for perhaps over half an hour until Sr. Benedict said in Sinhala, "Father ivarai", meaning, Father is finished. I did not still understand what she meant until I saw Fr. Michael's brain lying on the floor near me, intact. Although my senses up to that time had been numb, the thought now suddenly struck me "only a small mind opposed to his mind could do this". I then glanced at the body leaning against the wall. The skull broken to bits was lying on the floor; blood and pieces of flesh spattered the walls. All three of us were soaked in blood. Sr. Benedict said: "Come and see. There is, his blood in the chalice" - (The stainless steel cup we used for Communion). We were frightened and closed the two doors of the house and huddled together. We then knelt down and holding hands promised that we would remain faithful to the vision Fr. Michael shared with us. Like many other martyrs in the Liberation Movement in other parts of the globe, Fr. Mike had to shed his blood for the same cause. The new imperialist net-work operating in the village was out for his blood, just as the scribes, pharisees and the imperialists of Jesus' times were out for Jesus' blood when He began to expose their hypocrisy, superficial beliefs and spiritual shortcomings. Fr. Mike did not cease to denounce the injustices relationships in the structures of society, like transnational corporations with their interlocking directorates. For these structures violated human rights and offered violence to peasants and workers in general. ################## Regional workshop on reporting political violence South Asia Forum for Human Rights (SAFHR) would be conducting its third regional workshop for media practitioners on 'Reporting Political Violence', (Focus - South Asia Southern Media grid, Regional Workshop), in Chennai from Nov 29 - Dec. 1, 2002. The Workshop is the third in SAFHR's programme on 'Media and Conflict' and is aimed at fostering an alternative discourse on security that promotes respect for human rights and peace in the region. Earlier, in SAFHR's regional dialogues, peace audits and advocacy campaigns, media professionals have been actively involved. However it was felt that given the critical role played by the media there was need to structure a series of dialogues/workshops, one to develop a radical critique from inside of the mass media, i.e. by media practitioners of media responsibility in reporting conflicts/violence, two to explore the pros and cons of media as partisan in covering human rights and peace issues, three to develop a hands on training module and a more comprehensive publication for use in the region's mass communication institutes, journalism courses, peace studies institutes and defer colleges, four, to create a network of concerned and sensitive South Asian journalists and five to connect media practitioners with SAFHR and other NGOs in promoting human rights and peace. Today, the journalist is recognised as a political actor and professional canons like 'objectivity' and 'neutrality' have suffered repeated assaults in journalistic practice and theory. In South Asia, questions of the power of the mass media to influence policy and determine agendas or to be used as 'force multipliers' in situations of conflict, have made it imperative to focus on the media as a political actor. The media is not only a public forum for debate and education of citizens but is increasingly seen as partisan. Arguably it corollary is the media as peace partisan. Can a case be made for a partisan or proactive journalism for peace and human rights? Participants for the Third Regional Workshop will be from within the mainstream media - print and audio-visual (English and Language Media) who have shown openness and sensitivity to a value based journalism and have demonstrated a willingness to push the acceptable margins of enquiry. The SAFHR Media and Conflict Workshop series will form the basis for a book on Reporting Conflicts to be brought out by SAGE Publishers. The workshop is designed as an intense closed door peer group interaction. There will be a public interface event on December 1st evening. |
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Produced by Lake House |
UN Day was celebrated on October 24 at the UN compound in Colombo. Seen
here is a troupe of performers from The Centre for Performing Arts who
performed at the invitation of the UNDP. The performers presented a
wordless play founded on the timely question of how we can ensure that the
current peace momentum in Sri Lanka can be nurtured into a lasting peace.
