Friends –
Beyond the news headlines about terrorism in Sri Lanka, Tanenbaum gets to hear what’s really happening on the ground. For more than 22 years, our Peacemaker, Dishani Jayaweera has been working there. Now she’s struggling with a new conflict and mind-numbing violence.
We all need to hear what she has to say. Please take a look…
Dear All,
We received this from Nimal… as some of you know this is 2nd action of Nimal and interfaith group we formed in Anuradhapura as response to the newly started war.
This is how they wanted to protect Islam community in last Friday prayer…As a strategy faith leaders from all 4 faiths were inside the mosque.
Jay, Sinthuja and me were in East in last two days…It was not that easy… last 23 years I am traveling ( even most hardest periods of 30 years’ war) this is a very first time I have to face rigorous checking/ screening… (Being Sinhala Buddhists and professionals always we were in safe zone in the war period). Danger is when I was went through those process I never felt uneasy…it means I am welcoming militarization… which I was very against when the civil war was there… how others will be welcoming military… is 100 times higher than I am… This is so scary…. (In long run).
Secondly, I met pastor group in Batticoloa who are working so closely with the affected communities… situation is so painful… their main requests were;
- Healing and psychological support (because this is 100% unexpected situation)…many children died, parents and siblings are in shock and denial…some are not even speaking to others…
We will be going to meet the community in next week or other week…
Medicine and needed equipment + food (Protein drinks, some specific food according to the medical needs). Same day received a call asking two cooler machines for two children who faced some plastic surgery (their faces totally damaged). We visited them to with two coolers… it is so difficult…Likewise, there are many needs which we will be providing.
- Education support program for children who lost their fathers or mothers or both. As well as a special support system for affected children (next step).
We are working on those.
Then we met our Islam moulavis (Ulamas). We were in Samanthurai – 2.30 to 4 .00pm (where Army forces found a storage place of ISIS).
At 6 pm we were in Periyanilaveni meeting our Hindu priests. Only thing I can say is ….whole Muslim community also in shock and denial. They are supporting arm forces… Their situation is more pathetic than anyone else… they had to take the responsibility for a war/violence which is not THEIR STRUGGLE.