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Prayers in UK for premier and peace process

by Reggie Fernando our London corrospondent

As the year 2001 came to a close and the new year ushered in hundreds of Sri Lankans here participated in traditional religious services where they offered prayers to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for a successful negotiated settlement to the ethnic issue.

Having spoken to many Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Muslims - they all seem to have embraced 2002, endorsing Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's peace moves, however fragile they may be.

A Sri Lankan Christian priest conducting the service at a Methodist Church in Chelsea (Central London) on January 1 said that as Sri Lankans across Britain - both Sinhala and Tamil - move into 2002 new hope has risen that stable peace in their motherland will be a reality soon.

Everyone in these congregations hailed Mr. Wickremesinghe's approach of clearing 'humanitarian issues' prior to negotiations and lauded him for his words: "I want the first step slow and steady so that the foundation will be strong to go for a lasting solution."

Religious dignitaries conducting the ceremonies organised by the Sri Lanka Christian Association in the UK, Association of Sri Lankans in the UK, Wesley College Old Boys Association and the Methodist College Old Girls Association also prayed for all in Sri Lanka to be blessed with joy and peace and for everyone to work together towards peace in the New Year.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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