by Melani Manel Perera

Organised by the Anglican Church, the peaceful protest underscores ethnic discrimination in the country. Religious leader calls on Christians to speak out against violations.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Dressed in white, more than 2,000 Christians on Monday took part in two days of lamentation, an event organised by the (Anglican) Church of Ceylon to coincide with the country's 65^th Independence Day. The goal of the alternative celebration was to reflect on the situation of the rule of law and justice in the island-nation.

In addition to local Anglicans, the initiative also attracted Buddhists like the Venerable Madoluwawe Thero as well as Catholic priests and nuns. During the two-day event, participants participated in moments of silence and prayers meetings.

"On this island, all ethnic groups should live side by side," said in his homily Rev Dhiloraj R. Canagasabey, Anglican bishop of Colombo. "Real freedom," he insisted, "means speaking your own language and living according to your own culture and religion."

"As Christians, we cannot remain silent," the bishop noted. "By keeping quiet, we would dishonour our Lord and betray our Christian identity."

 

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