The news that there is every possibility of a settlement of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka is heartening indeed. The cease-fire between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan army has been in force for a few months now and life in the region shows signs of returning to normal.
Many people are sceptical about the outcome of the negotiations for peace. It is not clear what will ultimately be the political set up in the north and east of the country. Some in India even fear that the LTTE administration in that area may even turn out to be a threat to the integrity of India. At the moment, however, hopes are high among the people of the region and, after years of suffering, they are welcoming a settlement so that life can return to normal.
The Church of South India will be one of the greatest beneficiaries of peace in the region. The CSI Diocese of Jaffna has been undergoing a most harrowing experience for more than a decade now. Most people of the diocese have been scattered all over the country. The memory of the former Bishop of Jaffna, The Rt Revd Ambalavanar, fleeing from his residence with just a suitcase is still fresh in the minds of many.
Peace in Jaffna will mean rehabilitation of the diocese, its institutions and its congregations. Let us therefore pray earnestly that the efforts of all who are involved in the peace process will bear fruit.
Article from: CSI Life