Sinhalese and Tamils will perish divided but flourish united, says Colombo archbishop

(May 2, 2009) “Divided we will perish, united we will flourish.” This is how Sinhalese Archbishop Oswald Gomis of Colombo regarded the uncertain future of Sinhalese-Tamil relations as he talked about the plight of Tamil refugees. Sri Lanka’s government has pledged to push ahead with its offensive against the rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE, brushing off international calls for a cease-fire aimed at protecting thousands of civilians trapped in the war zone. The rebels facing near-certain defeat, vowed on Thursday to fight on as well. “It is my hope that the conflict will end shortly, that some day people will realise the folly of fighting,” Archbishop Gomis said. He hopes that incessant prayers will help end violence and that everyone can “be reasonable and not let any more innocent people be killed.” The archbishop said they have called on both sides to spare the defenceless population, and pointed out that the most important work is reconciliation. What is needed, he said, is laying the ground for peaceful coexistence between Sinhalese and Tamils, the two groups who call the island their home and who have become enemies as a result of the conflict.