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| Saturday, 6 March 2004 |
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A statement on inter-religious tensions signed by 35 prominent persons representing various spheres of the society has strongly condemned the increasing incidents of violence committed against Christian places of worship. The statement noted that over 100 incidents have been perpetrated in the past year and attacks have increased in recent months. "There are actions that bear a disturbing resemblance with those that preceded the tragic events of July 1983," it added. Following is the full text of the statement: "We the undersigned wish to express our grave concern at the rise of inter-religious tensions in the country. We believe that this is particularly unfortunate at a time when there is a serious attempt to pursue a negotiated political settlement to the island's ethnic conflict. We strongly condemned the increasing incidents of violence committed against Christian places of worship. We note with dismay that, though over 100 incidents have taken place in the past year in recent months the frequency of such attacks has increased. We are particularly concerned that in a number of these incidents gangs have stormed the residences and offices of the leaders of these churches and stolen lists of the members of these churches. These are actions that bear a disturbing resemblance with those that preceded the tragic events of July 1983. All Sri Lankan peoples are at present faced with the historical challenge of establishing inter-ethnic peace in the island. Peace-building after a protracted conflict requires bold and creative measures to develop a political solution based on human rights, justice and dignity. Efforts towards rebuilding peaceful Sri Lanka should also reject ethnic as well as religious majoritarianism and promote instead an inclusive national identity based on equality and multiculturalism. Such a future of peace needs to be based on inter-community reconciliation through dialogue and understanding. The rise in violence against any minority of the country will seriously undermine such efforts. We also note with regret that the Government of Sri Lanka has indicated its willingness to introduce legislation to regulate 'unethical conversions'. We believe that matters of religious belief and persuasion are not issues that should be regulated by legislation. Such legislation could be abused to discriminate against members of minority religious communities, as indeed has happened in the State of Tamil Nadu in India. By imposing unjustifiable restrictions on freedom of thought and conscience and religious freedom, it also violates basic tenets of fundamental human rights. We take seriously the complaints made about practices by members of some religious groups in propagating their religious beliefs. We suggest that such concerns should be investigated by an inter-religious council. We reiterate that they should be dealt with through dialogue, informal dispute resolution mechanisms and the general law of the land if necessary. We are concerned by the slow progress made with respect to the investigation of the attacks on churches and the apprehension of the perpetrators of the same. We are encouraged however by recent attentions of the Police to this matter and the consequent arrests and investigation of suspected agents. We strongly urge unwavering commitment to the maintenance of the rule of law. It is imperative that a culture of impunity is not allowed to develop particularly with respect to an issue with such destructive potential. We call upon the President, the Prime Minister and the relevant law enforcement agencies to take swift and appropriate action to ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution and international human rights norms to members of all religious communities are upheld and protected. Signatories: Ven. Assaji Thera, Inter-Religious Peace Foundation, Professor Bertram Bastiampillai, Former Ombudsman, Shirly Candappa, National Anti-War Front, Nihan de Mel, National Peace Council, Sunanda Deshapriya, Free Media Movement, Dulcey de Silva, National Anti-War Front, Gen. Rtd. Gerry de Silva, Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers, Rev. W. Dharmissak Thera, National Anti-War Front, Mithsiri L. S. Dias, Caritas Sri Lanka, Rohan Edrisinha, University of Colombo CPA, S. R. Edward, University of Colombo SSA, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, SIGNIS, Newton Fernando, Caritas Sri Lanka, Malini Fonseka, leading film actress, Neelanie Goonathilake, President, J. W. Thompson Advertising Company, Godfrey Gunatilake, Marga Institute, Indika Gunewardena, Former Minister, Basil Illangakoon, Marga Institute, Dayan Jayathilake, University of Colombo, Penny Jayawardena, Animal Rights Activist, Ainslie Joseph, Christian Alliance for Social Action, Doreen Kotuwila, National Anti-War Front, Swarna Malawarachchi, Swarna Foundation for the Promotion of Dignity, Neela Marikkar, Managing Director of Grants Advertising, M. I. M. Moihideen, Muslim Rights Organisation, Jeslin Punchihewa, National Anti-War Front, Rev. Anura Perera, National Anti-War Front, Jehan Perera, National Peace Council, Shirantha Perera, Consortium for Humanitarian Affairs, Kumar Rupesinghe, Foundation for Co-Existence, Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Cyrene Siriwardhana, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), K. Theivendirarajah, Caritas Sri Lanka, Jayadeva Uyangoda, University of Colombo SSA and Anoja Weerasinghe, Leading film actress. |
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