CBK lambastes politicians for playing ethnic card for expediency

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaiake has alleged that a section of the politicians continued to play the ethnic card for political gain.

“The majority of people don’t want to have another conflict. But politicians can’t resist using the ethnic card,” Mrs. Kumaratunga told a gathering of clergy at an international conference organized by Religions for Peace International, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace (SLCRP), recently.

The former President insisted that the Sri Lankan people were not racist but they are provoked by politicians. She said public opinion had turned favourable for a political solution from 23% to 68% during her presidency in a matter of two years due to a combination of leadership and education for the younger generations.

The High-Level Forum on Increased Advocacy, Community Engagement and Learning on Positive Behaviour Outcomes for Children, Families and Communities was chaired by Associate Secretary General of Religions for Peace International, Deepika Singh. She explained how Religions for Peace had been guided by a vision of a world where faith communities cooperate effectively for peace since its formation in 1970. Working alongside religious leaders and their institutions and communities, and in partnership with other sectors of society, the organisation addresses critical challenges, ranging from violent conflict to gender inequality from environmental degradation to assaults on freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief and is today present in over 95 countries.

Secretary General of Religions for Peace Asia Rev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara said they had convened the meeting in Sri Lanka to strengthen the Sri Lanka branch of Religions for Peace for increased collaboration and common action with the government and other stakeholders under the Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) initiative.

The activities and methodologies under this initiative was spelled out by Jimmy Obuya, FPCC Global Coordinator, Religions for Peace International and Prof. Pablito Baybado, Jr., FPCC Regional Coordinator, Religions for Peace Asia.

After being welcomed by Ven. Senior Prof. Medawachchiye Dhammajothi, Secretary, Sri Lankan Council of Religions for Peace and Christobel Saverimuttu, Treasurer of SLCRP, a panel discussion took place in which four religious leaders, representing the four main religions, were speakers. Ven. Dr. Madampagama Assaji Thera, Head of the Interfaith Section, International Buddhist Confederation, spoke on the recent breakthrough in dialogue between members of the Buddhist clergy and Tamil Diaspora.

This was followed by brief interventions by Swami Gunatitananda Saraswati, Head of Chinmaya Mission, Ash Sheikh Arkam Nooramith Moulavi, General Secretary, All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ullama, and Rev. Fr Rohan Silva, Executive Director, Centre for Society & Religion.

A highlight of the event was the presentation by Janithu Hettiarachchi and reading of the draft statement by Nethaaya Perera on behalf of the Youth Wing of the Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace (SLCRP). The statement called for “Promoting and protecting child rights, wellbeing and development through continued collaboration among faith communities and other stakeholders including the Government of Sri Lanka, UNICEF and other Faith-based Organisations working for children.”