Interfaith center inaugurated to further peace and reconciliation
VAVUNIYA, Sri Lanka (APEN) – The flags of Singapore and Sri Lanka fluttered side by side in the sky. Amidst singing of the two countries’ national anthems and lighting of a lamp by representatives of different religious communities, the Chen Su Lan Education Centre was officially inaugurated on 24 June.
More than 1,000 people including leaders from the Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu communities gathered to attend the function organized in this northern Sri Lankan town on the eve of the Poson Poya Day, which marked the 2318th anniversary of the introduction of Buddhism to this country.
Some 100 Chinese Buddhists from the Singapore-based Maha Karuna Society led by its leader Venerable K Gunaratna were also part of the function where they offered gifts to the monks, students and the people of the community.
Mrs P M Charles, government agent and district secretary, Mr S N G Nathan of the Tamil National Alliance party and the elected mayor of Vavuniya, Brigadier Napagoda, representing Major General Kamal Gunaratna, and Mr Senaratne, chief of police were also present.
The construction cost of the building was wholly met by the Chen Su Lan Trust, which is a Christian charity led by Reverend Yap Kim Hao, well know ecumenical leader and a former general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia. He was also the first Asian Methodist bishop in Singapore.
The idea of a centre emerged a few months back after the visit of Reverend Yap Kim Hao and the Venerable K Gunaratna to the Manik Farm, the biggest camp established by the Sri Lankan army housing thousands of Tamil refugees, to offer relief supplies to former child soldiers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam. During the visit, they realized the need to prepare for the “re-entry” of the youngsters to continue their education which was interrupted by the civil war. They discussed the proposal with Major General Kamal Gunaratna who readily agreed to extend all help.
Mrs P M Charles, the government agent who is also the district secretary was approached by the two religious leaders with an application for a piece of land. It was approved without any delay, and more than half an acre of empty land was given for the construction of the Chen Su Lan Education Centre.
The centre will ultimately belong to the people of Vavuniya, says Reverend Yap Kim Hao.
“They will use the center to engage in religious dialogue for mutual understanding and respect for differences among the faith communities,” he feels.
According to him, together they will educate the people and empower them in community service for peace and harmony.
One of the main objectives of the centre is to further the process of reconciliation after thirty years of tragic civil war between the Sinhalese and the Tamil people.
“Peace must prevail and reconciliation must take place.”
Yap Kim Hao hopes that this interfaith centre will encourage other communities far and near to involve in the process of reconciliation.
The dimension of reconciliation can already be seen in the working of the centre.
Mrs Charles is a government official and a Tamil Catholic. Mayor Nathan is a member of Tamil National Alliance Party that supported Tamil Elam. Brigadier Napagoda and Police Chief Senaratne are Sinhalese Buddhists. Singapore pilgrims are Chinese who embrace the Sinhalese Theravada Buddhism. Venerable Gunaratana is a Sinhalese Buddhist monk working in Singapore for over 15 years and committed to help the Tamils who are from Hindu, Christian, Muslim faith communities. Reverend Yap Lima Hao a Malaysian Chinese Christian who has been working in Singapore for the past 45 years. The Chen Su Lan Trust is a Christian family philanthropic trust fund helping people of all races, religions and nationalities.
