over 2,000 Christians lament to mark nation's independence
February 06, 2013: 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 Sri Lanka's 65th 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",
he added.