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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style><span style="font-size:20pt;line-height:115%">PEOPLES’ HEALTH
MOVEMENT</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style><u>SYMPOSIUM ON RELIGIOUS RECONCILIATION FOR PEACE</u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><u><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></u></b></p>
<p class="">The Peoples’ Health Movement (PHM) and Womens’ Action for
Social Justice jointly held the above Symposium on Thursday, 13 February 2014 in Colombo.<span style> </span>It
was very well attended and carried on in a successful manner.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">It was explained why we thought of holding such
a Seminar and informed that Sri Lanka is presently undergoing disturbances for religious
harmony.<span style> </span>It was informed that we, belonging
to a Movement working for Peace, it is of utmost importance that we intervene
in this situation.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Sirimal Peiris of PHM took the Chair and explained the objectives
of this Symposium and stated that some places of worship of minority
religions<span style> </span>have been attacked by
extremists over the past few months. <span style> </span>He
mentioned that the expectation of all religions is Peace, but there have been
many instances that the mere idea of Peace is shattered in the very name of the
religion.<span style> </span>He further stated that this
situation cannot be allowed with the real meaning of Compassion in Buddhism,
Love from Hinduism, Brotherhood from Islam and Love and Peace from Christianity.<span style> </span><span style> </span>The
above mentioned 4 elements are the main themes for Social Reconciliation.<span style> </span>He stressed<span style>
</span>that we must not allow to destroy the valuable religious teachings
learnt from each of our respective religions.<span style>
</span>Within the society, there will be social disharmony from hatred,
suspicion, forcefulness and disrespect etc.<span style>
</span>It was mentioned that in order to avoid a conflict situation in the
country, an inter-religious dialogue of this nature is organized and hence it
is our objective to enter into a healthy dialogue for religious harmony and
peace among all religions. </p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">A Roman Catholic Priest/ Scholar was then invited to address the
gathering.<span style> </span>In his address, he mentioned
that he can introduce human beings as animals and said that they get civilized
by way of sports, art and religion.<span style>
</span>Sports develop each one’s personality, art helps to appreciate and
religion gives us spiritual expectations.<span style>
</span>Today, all these three<span style> </span>attributes
have got polluted and how religions can be purified is one of the major<span style> </span>problems facing us.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">A prominent Islam preacher explained
the religious harmony prevailed among the Buddhists and the Muslims some time
back in his village.<span style> </span>He informed that
the land of about 4 Acres to build the Mosque in his village was donated by a
Sinhala Buddhist person.<span style> </span>He also
mentioned that the access road leading<span style>
</span>to the village Buddhist temple was donated and re-laid by a Muslim.<span style> </span>Therefore, it is evident that a healthy religious
harmony was prevalent those days.<span style> </span>Hence,
this type of dialogue is of paramount importance to bring back a harmonious
situation in the country among all religions.<span style>
</span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class=""> The Co-Chairman of
Inter-Religious Organization was then invited to address the gathering and he
informed that religious harmony among other religions have been taught in Buddhism
which is great and meaningful. Listening to <span style> </span>views of the others were one of Lord Buddha’s
teachings and he stated that the biggest problem in today’s society is people
do not practice a religion.<span style> </span><span style> </span>Buddhists should not have any fear and
complex about other religions as the Buddhist Priests are the leaders of Sri
Lankan society.<span style> </span>No one cannot damage
Buddhism, but Buddhist teachings has to be followed.<span style> </span>Therefore, by way of this we can achieve and
establish religious reconciliation and harmony.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">If we have to respect each one’s
identity and also listen to other’s ideas and views.<span style> </span>Religion should not be an invasion and bring
on freedom.<span style> </span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">After that a period of dialogue was opened to the
gathering.<span style> </span>Everybody who spoke
emphasized the need to carry on the ideas they have acquired from this Dialogue
in their respective areas in order to bring about religious reconciliation and
peace.</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Activists who are engaged in social harmony from many
districts of Sri Lanka were present.<span style> </span>The
proceedings of the dialogue was done both in Sinhala and Tamil Languages by
giving simultaneous translations.<span style>
</span>Required facilities were provided by Sarvodaya and Savisthri.<span style> </span>The meeting was conducted by Rev. Sr. Noel
Christine.<span style> </span><span style></span></p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">Sirimal Peirs</p>
<p class="">PEOPLES’ HEALTH MOVEMENT</p>
<p class="">SRI LANKA</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class="">15 February 2014</p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class=""> </p>
<p class=""> </p>
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