The National Convention on the above theme was the initiative of the Inter-congregational Women’s Desk, and was held from 22^nd to 24^th February, with the participation of over 400 persons of all faiths, ethnic and language groups, clergy, religious sisters and laity.

Its principal objective was to organize a movement among the religious and laity, to take a more active role as spiritual leaders and peace builders, and to discover alternative ways of working for peace.

There were two key-note speakers, (representing the two races), Bishop Norbert Andradi and Bishop Rayappu Joseph, who shared respectively their vision for peace, and how they see an alternative solution to the present problems. 

The following were the panelists and their themes: 

1. Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, (Buddhist) SARVODAYA Movement: “Mobilization of the civic society, through spiritual values, in view of building peace”. 

2. Rev. Bishop Chickera, Anglican Bishop of Colombo: “Challenging the participants to ‘Prophetic Leadership’ in today’s context of Sri Lanka”. 

3. Ms. Saroja Sivachandran (Hindu): Director of the Centre for Women and Development: “Women as Peacemakers”. 

4. Dr. Jehan Perera, Executive Director of the National Peace Council: “Working for Peace in an ethnically divided society”. 

5. Deshabandu Jezima Ismail (Muslim): “Challenges faced by the civil society when we collaborate with the State; the power of spiritual leadership in our role as catalysts”. 

6. Fr. S.M. Selvaratnam, OMI: “In spite of all that is happening in the North, and all over the country, what keeps him going? How does he keep his faith alive, hoping against hope? “ 

7. Fr. Damian Fernando, Director SEDEC/CARITAS: “Concrete efforts of the Justice and Peace Commission”. 

The entire assembly expressed, in varied terms, their desire to see the cessation of all killings, and the right to life upheld, as taught in all faiths – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, so that all Sri Lankans can live in peace and harmony, in one country, which is our mother-land.

Certain follow-up actions were planned for implementation, and others left to be finalized by a wider inter-faith group which will include the speakers, the inter-congregational women’s desk, and representatives of other groups who also see the urgency of working for peace and reconciliation. 

Three of the main proposals on which all agreed were the following alternative solutions: 

1. A website in collaboration with other faiths and groups for the dissemination of truthful, accurate information.

2. Mobilization of a people’s movement to pressurize the decision-makers on both sides to accelerate a political solution, stop all killings, respect human rights, and to ensure peace through justice.

3. To harness the spiritual forces and spiritual leadership of all faiths, believing that peace begins within, and is channeled without, to all levels of our society. 

This Convention has truly been a journey of struggles as expressed in diverse ways by the speakers and participants, but with the hope that our dreams can still be realized.

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Sri Lanka 

What does it mean to be a Peacemaker?
(Wisdom sayings from the Convention)