A Message from Sri Lanka
April 30, 2019IN Lanka's Board Chair weighs in on the recent attacks
Greetings!
It is one week since the terror attack on 3 churches and 4 hotels, killing 253 and injuring around 500 persons in Sri Lanka. Wave of shock and grief has gripped the entire nation that has crippled the normal functioning of the entire country.
The raids by the security forces since then has revealed explosives and weapons in various parts of the country. Looking at the scale of amassed explosives and weapons, it is clear the terror in Sri Lanka is not over.
We are saddened because the terror has risen its head again after 10 years where a 30-year conflict culminated. However, even within the last 10 years, we had noted ethno-religious clashes with attacks on churches, mosques, civilians and business establishments. Still, we failed to be cautious of what was coming next!
However, some of the positive things that surfaced as a result was the ability of the different religious fraternity to come together on the one-hand to hold the government responsible for the attacks and on the other, show unity in this difficult moment to calm the people from another wave of backlash! The civilians on their own, flocked also to donate blood to the injured, held prayers, vigilant groups etc. to condole with the bereaved.
This experience has given us a profound message that we cannot take ‘extremisms’ lightly. Each individual, group, organisation or the business establishment has a responsibility to play their part to take hold of this growing sense of extremism that victimizes nations!
Our perception is that ‘extremism’ is all over. We particularly have to protect children and youth from being indoctrinated by such ideologies be it religious or political. Sri Lanka has experienced both types of violence since 1956.
Please also uphold Sri Lanka in your prayers.
Prayers,
Annie Kurian
Board Chair of IN Lanka
.
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