http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7368434.stm
Sorry to report yet another bomb blast on a government run bus. 24 people killed, 40 injured.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Happy New Year
A New Year's Card depicting some of the games played at this time of year; tug-of-war, climbing an oiled pole, pillow fighting, bashing the claypot filled with water or paint whilst blindfolded, women sitting around a huge drum and beating it in time.
Other games include passing the egg, hunting for marbles, coconut-scraping, bun-eating and instead of pin the tail on the donkey- draw the eye on the elephant.
The Sinhala and Hindu New Year began at 6.54pm on Sunday 13th April at which point people lit fires outside their homes to boil milk in a claypot, the idea being that the hot milk overflows the pot, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. It is a time when families come together in reconciliation, repentance and resolution. Children and young people show elders a sign of respect by kissing their feet, family conflict's are set aside and gifts of new clothing, food and money are given to one another. No transactions carried out or food can be eaten between a particular time. The first food to be prepared is 'kiribath' or milk rice which is cooked on the new fire on the hearth - or gas-ring. There is an auspicious time for a ritual of anointing to be carried out and people who are looking for work and those currently in employment are prescribed certain times to look for employment and the colours to wear.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
A Gruesome Discovery
To celebrate the New Year I was invited to go away for a few days to a beautiful beach resort just South of Colombo. Sitting on my sun-lounger facing out towards the sea I was enjoying the view; the palm trees with their spiky leaves, the squirrels running up and down their trunks, the butterflies dancing over the sand. The children on the golden sand enjoying splashing in the blue turquoise sea. A group of young men on surfboards came into view, paddling across the top of the surf, they seemed to be in a hurry. The pool attendant noticed the group too and with a look of concern on his face dashed quickly onto the beach. Indeed there seemed to be people coming from all directions, a few curious tourists, and the various uniforms of the different hotel workers merging onto the sand. The surfers were now in the shallow surf and between carrying their surfboards they appeared to be dragging something. In fact it was a man's body, face down they dragged him out of the water and laid him down on the beach. It was immediately apparent that a doctor was of no use. Covering the body with a tarpaulin, the hotel workers and security staff began to speculate as to the man's identity. It transpired he was a solo guest from one of the big hotels, he had taken breakfast that morning and then he had gone out for a swim. The pool attendant arrived back and relayed this information to the stunned guests, some of them totally unaware of what had just happened on the beach behind them.
5 hours later I went for a walk on the beach to discover that the body was still there, guarded by a member of hotel security. An arm was hanging out from under the covering, a child commented 'why has the man got blue fingernails?'.
Fortunately a few minutes later a van arrived with a police man and a board and I witnessed the by now stiff and bloated body being hauled onto the stretcher and taken off. Saying a silent prayer as the van moved away I can only hope that his next of kin would be informed as soon as possible.
A word of warning - don't go swimming when a red flag is showing and always tell someone where you are and what time you are due back.
5 hours later I went for a walk on the beach to discover that the body was still there, guarded by a member of hotel security. An arm was hanging out from under the covering, a child commented 'why has the man got blue fingernails?'.
Fortunately a few minutes later a van arrived with a police man and a board and I witnessed the by now stiff and bloated body being hauled onto the stretcher and taken off. Saying a silent prayer as the van moved away I can only hope that his next of kin would be informed as soon as possible.
A word of warning - don't go swimming when a red flag is showing and always tell someone where you are and what time you are due back.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Bishop's Letter
Written after he returned from the Confirmation service on Sunday - we knew something major had happened during the service because all of a sudden people's phones started beeping with text messages.
[The Church of Ceylon (E-P) - Ceylon] The brutal killing of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, several young athletes, "Marathon Karu", Lakshman de Alwis, the national athletic coach and some security personnel must be condemned without reservation by all right-minded people. A sporting event planned to build community ended with an abrupt and violent shattering of community.
I extend the deepest solidarity and condolences of our Church to all the bereaved. Our Church assures all grieving parents, spouses and children of our prayers. May the God of consolation heal your brokenness and fill you with peace.
This is most likely the work of the LTTE. It follows closely on the Fort Railway Station bombing, in which also several young schoolboy sportsmen from D S Senanayake College were killed. The massacre of the innocents anywhere, benefits no just cause and has no place whatsoever in any agenda for dignity and peace for Sri Lankans.
Such provocative acts of violence spread fear, suspicion and anger. They further widen the gap between our communities and further reduce whatever chances may have existed for peace conversations.
But they can also confront us with the harsh realities of violent human conflict and strengthen our resolve towards an active non-violent resolution of our complex conflict. Sadly, this second option is the one that we as a nation have somehow failed to assert with courage and conviction.
May all peace-loving people of our beloved land even now speak with one voice and strive together to replace violent confrontation with dialogue and negotiations. No substantial democratic political agenda for peace and development will ever be achieved till this is done.
The Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera
Bishop of Colombo
7th April 2008
| Road Race Massacre |
| A Statement by the Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo |
| CEYLON 080407-1 April 7, 2008 |
 |
I extend the deepest solidarity and condolences of our Church to all the bereaved. Our Church assures all grieving parents, spouses and children of our prayers. May the God of consolation heal your brokenness and fill you with peace.
This is most likely the work of the LTTE. It follows closely on the Fort Railway Station bombing, in which also several young schoolboy sportsmen from D S Senanayake College were killed. The massacre of the innocents anywhere, benefits no just cause and has no place whatsoever in any agenda for dignity and peace for Sri Lankans.
Such provocative acts of violence spread fear, suspicion and anger. They further widen the gap between our communities and further reduce whatever chances may have existed for peace conversations.
But they can also confront us with the harsh realities of violent human conflict and strengthen our resolve towards an active non-violent resolution of our complex conflict. Sadly, this second option is the one that we as a nation have somehow failed to assert with courage and conviction.
May all peace-loving people of our beloved land even now speak with one voice and strive together to replace violent confrontation with dialogue and negotiations. No substantial democratic political agenda for peace and development will ever be achieved till this is done.
The Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera
Bishop of Colombo
7th April 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
New Toilets for Mirihana Detention Camp!
Having had a successful Confirmation service, Bishop Duleep de Chickera requested a visit to the Mirihana Detention Camp.
Here are some before and after pictures of the toilets!
Before: Rotting doors, 2 toilets shared between 91 people, no flush or running water facility, open sewage pipes into overflowing open septic pit. Indescribable filth, squalor and stench.
After: Nice new doors, painted inside and outside, tiled floors, running water, beautifully clean! New pipes, brand new enclosed septic pit.
Bomb Blast kills Senior Sri Lankan Minister
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7332952.stm
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmHome.aspx
Please check these links for more info.
Highways minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was attending a function today (Sunday 6th April) to mark the forthcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year when a bomb went off killing him and 11 others including a famous Sri Lankan marathon runner.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)