A module from Caritas Sri Lanka to build interfaith harmony

Focusing on the four main religions of Sri Lanka as a country with a multi-religious population, Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC Institute and Caritas Seth Sarana Colombo  Diocese Human Development Institute socialized a training module on building harmony between religions.

The mini-manual titled “Interreligious Reconciliation – Training Modules” Published by Caritas Sri Lanka and compiled by a prominent Drama therapist, Dr. Ravindra Ranasinghe, was launched last Friday, 27th October at the auditorium of Caritas Sri Lanka.

This manual consisting of 19 modules was officially handed over to Father Anton Sudharaka, who deals with the religion and values of the educational institution, Father Lester Wijesuriya, Director of the Interfaith Coexistence Program of Colombo Archdiocese, Father Dinesh, Director of Colombo Sunday School, and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Education and Cultural Affairs H. N. Kumari, Buddhist Religious Affairs Department Commissioner General Siribandhana, Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Department Director Ishaad Faisal, Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs Department Director Aniruktaran, Christian and Religious Affairs Department Director Chaturi Pinto who attended the event among others.

Sister Deepa Fernando, head of the Sustainable Peace and Justice Commission of Caritas Sri Lanka (SPJC) , said that inter-religious harmony is not a task that can be built in isolation.

For that purpose, She said that this task would be implemented with the contribution of all by contacting the Caritas organization of Colombo Diocese, Seth Sarana, and other Diocesan Centers across the country in the future.

Explaining the handbook and commenting on the modules, Sister Deepa said that these modules have been prepared in a very experimental and scientific manner using the experience gained through the various works launched in the promotion of peace in this country, through various research, research books, papers, experiences of other countries on inter-religious harmony.

The Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, H. N. Kumari during her address, pledged the support of the Ministry, for the successful implementation of this initiative

While she was praising Caritas Sri Lanka for taking the initiative to introduce such a valuable module,  underscored the importance of explaining the need for and significance of inter-religious amity to field officers from various departments of cultural affairs.

The Additional Secretary suggested Caritas Sri Lanka create a dedicated group to take these amity modules to the grassroots level with the sense of getting good, fruitful results.

She also said that to get fruitful results it should be given a  master brainwash to top to bottom by using these valuable modules.

Dr. Ravindra Ranasinghe the author of the booklet speaking at the launch, said that “these 19 modules show us to what extent I am capable of being sensitive to another religion, another person, and community,  and whether I am open in my inner.”

“Apart from nursing an unhealed wound in this country, no institution, including the government of Sri Lanka, has any interest in managing mental trauma. There is no knowledge of that. Even if you talk a lot on the surface, you don’t take steps to manage the emotional trauma. Without doing so, there is no point in any program.” he said.

Also, Dr. Ravindra said that inculcating these values from childhood should start now, having an eternal impact on future generations, and urged everyone to advocate for the integration of these modules into school curricula, Sunday schools , teacher training programs, and even homes.

Father Luke Nelson, Director of the Caritas-Sri Lanka stated that the intention of Caritas Sri Lanka is to create the basis for everyone in Sri Lanka, where there are only a few Catholics, to live in harmony and happiness. For many years, Caritas has made great efforts to build peace and unity, working with other religious leaders across the country through 13 institutions covering all 25 districts through various projects implemented by the Unite of the Sustainable Peace and Justice Commission of Caritas Sri Lanka.

“While living with people who follow other religions in Sri Lanka, where the majority of the Buddhist people live, there have been conflicts from time to time, and attempts have been made to break the peace and harmony through extremist acts. It is still happening. Therefore, we thought that it is our absolute duty to build and strengthen inter-religious harmony as Caritas Sri Lanka.” said Father  Luke Nelson addressing the occasion.

For that, Caritas Sri Lanka has decided to introduce a special manual that can be used to develop interfaith harmony by deepening and expanding the efforts made by Caritas Sri Lanka, and it will be socialized as a “Training Module for Interfaith Harmony” , he said.

“In order to create religious harmony in this country, all religious leaders need to line up together.”, Father Luke Nelson further said that only on a day when all the religious leaders come together, unity, peace, peace, and prosperity will be built in this country.

Caritas Seth Sarana Director Father Nilantha Heshan and Assistant Director Father Prasad Rangana, and Caritas Diocesan Officers, civil society service organization officers attended the occasion of the launching of the “inter-religious harmony – training module”.

END.