Religion as a force that binds

The advocates of religious tolerance and harmony in Sri Lanka have reason to be happy today because Medin Full Moon Poya Day and Good Friday, days of special significance to the Buddhists and Christians of this country, respectively, fall today.

The coincidental conduct of these sacred commemorations emphatically underscores the multi-religious and multi-cultural identity of Sri Lanka and we - as promoters of religious harmony and tolerance - partake of the joy in being among the bridge-builders of amity and goodwill among the religions and cultures of this land.

As has been often pointed out, multi-religious unity in Sri Lanka has an ages-long history. Buddhism, which is practised by the majority of the citizens of this country, with its strong focus on Loving-Kindness, equanimity and detachment, has, no doubt, contributed sizeably towards this climate of tolerance and accommodation of other religions.

Accordingly, Buddhism has fostered for long a culture of democratic accommodation of other faiths and belief systems, which, like it, spread the message of peace and brotherhood among the world's peoples.

This culture of tolerance and accommodation needs to be strengthened steadily and solidified in view of the great task on our hands of peacefully resolving this country's ethnic conflict and making Sri Lanka a permanent home for all religions and cultures.

Unfortunately, there are some sections which are opposed to this project. Incidents of religious strife of the past testify to this.

However, the vast majority of Lankans are tolerant and accommodative of religious diversity. This is our strength.

It needs to be used to make Sri Lanka a resplendent example of multicultural and religious unity. The time is also ripe for religions such as Christianity, to consider how they could contribute towards nation-building.

We are aware that it is quite some time since the main line Christian Churches in Sri Lanka made some efforts towards adapting themselves to the mainstream culture of the land.Hopefully, they wouldn't be seen as an alien intrusion but as instruments of religious harmony and cultural integration.

However, nation-building consists of - essentially - creating a state which would be home to all communities, languages and religions on the basis of brotherhood and unity. Here's where Christianity with its message of selfless love for one's neighbour could contribute much.

It could do this without affecting the susceptibilities of other religions.

For instance, the mainline Churches could greatly enrich Human Rights Education in Sri Lanka and strengthen the bonds of friendship and love among the communities at particularly grass roots level.

The vertical and horizontal beams on the Cross of Christianity remind us that the Christian needs to selflessly love God and man - the vertical beam symbolizing his love for God and the horizontal beam indicating his love for humanity.

On this memorable day, Christians need to reaffirm their commitments to God and man. May they be a harmonising and reconciling influence, is our prayer.