Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC

A delegation of seven Catholic Bishops who returned recently from a visit to South Africa met Hon Prof. G L Peiris, Minister of External Affairs  in his office on 25th August 2011 to brief the Minister on the outcome of their visit.

The delegation comprising Rt Rev Dr Vianney Fernando- Bishop of Kandy,  Rt Rev Dr Harold Anthony Perera- Bishop of Kurunegala, Rt Rev Dr Kingsley Swampillai – Bishop of Trincomalee/Batticaloa,  Rt Rev Dr Rayappu Joseph – Bishop of Mannar, Rt Rev Dr Norbert Andradi – Bishop of Anuradhapura,  Rt Rev Dr Thomas Savundranayagam –Bishop of Jaffna and Rt Rev Dr Winston Fernando –Bishop of Badulla was accompanied by Rev Fr George Sigamoney-Director of  Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC, Mr Freddie Jayawardene-Caritas Program Officer and Mr S P Anthonymuttu – Caritas Public Relations Officer.

On behalf of the delegation,  Bishop Vianney Fernando told the Minister that while all the  Bishops  stood for the sovereignty of Sri Lanka,  the Church has also taken the stand that the war victory is not a solution by itself.  In the post war period, the  Church  is contemplating its rightful role in bringing about reconciliation and peace in the country and it is in this  context that the Bishops travelled to South Africa to update themselves on the post conflict measures adopted in that country, especially by the religious leaders.
Bishop Vianney Fernando said that the delegation was able to meet several  persons and  groups involved with  the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), including members of the South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) in Durban, the SACBC Parliamentary Office in Cape Town and the staff of Caritas South Africa.

The TRC had played a meaningful role in helping  people to unburden themselves and their grief although it is true the TRC had not settled all the ills of South Africa. Most of the perpetrators had been given amnesty but there still was an apparent lacuna in the whole process. Yet still, what stood out was the magnanimity of the main stakeholders including Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with their compassion and forgiving attitude towards the apartheid system and its proponents. 

The  South African Bishops had told the Sri Lankan delegates that they still have a role to play to bring healing to the wounded in their country and that the process of reconciliation has to be deepened further without sacrificing the call for justice, peace and mercy.
Bishop Norbert Andradi pointed out to the Hon. Minister that, like in South Africa, we have to accept the legitimacy of those who have grievances and respect the right of individuals to express their grievances.

Bishop Vianney Fernando stressed that now is the time to strike a solution to the national question because the President has an overwhelming popularity and the Government has all the needed power in the Presidency.

The Hon. Minister said that the Church can play a meaningful role in the healing and reconciliation process and invited the Church to work jointly with the government in its efforts to bring about a sustainable peace in our country.