“It is with deep concern that we note a climate of increasing intolerance and escalating violence towards religious minorities. In particular, attacks on places of worship, interference in the observance of religious practices and attacks on business establishments belonging to minorities, all indicate a worrying trend towards public demonstrations of antagonism and violence.

The Batticaloa Peace Committee (BPC), which evolved from The Council of Religions, continues from the time of its inception, to work together with all religious communities in promoting peaceful interactions and relationships between different communities. In the past BPC promoted dialogue between religious leaders of the Tamil and Muslim communities to defuse tensions at times of conflict. On another occasion the BPC facilitated leaders from different religious traditions in mediating a dispute among members of Christian denominations.

While the concerns and sensitivities that provoke conflict between communities must be addressed and recognized through a process of dialogue, the use of violent means to pursue one’s interests will only lead to further alienation and the breakdown of the civic trust so necessary for day to day life in a pluralistic country like ours.

The experience of difference can cause tensions between communities. However, these differences are also a fundamental resource for our shared life together. Therefore, the BPC wishes to reiterate and emphasize the urgent need to find effective non-violent means of communication with compassion and wisdom as its core values to resolve tensions between communities.

The BPC will stand in solidarity and work together with all those of whatever religious community or civic organization who strive towards this end.”

Batticaloa Peace Committee, May 20, 2013

The Batticaloa Peace Committee (BPC), which evolved from The Council of Religions, continues from the time of its inception, to work together with all religious communities in promoting peaceful interactions and relationships between different communities. In the past BPC promoted dialogue between religious leaders of the Tamil and Muslim communities to defuse tensions at times of conflict. On another occasion the BPC facilitated leaders from different religious traditions in mediating a dispute among members of Christian denominations.

source: http://f.cl.ly/items/2K2S1K0b1Q2b1l442j0b/BPC%20STATEMENT.pdf