People line up for the Passion play performance in Jaffna

(April 1, 2010) In Sri Lanka, Christian and Hindu cooperation went a long way to ensuring a passion play in northern Jaffna performed by actors from the two religions ended as a runaway success. About 15,000 people queued up to watch the two-hour play staged by the Centre for Performing Arts of Sri Lanka (CPA). It was part of a series of performances organized by the centre and staged in major cities and church centres across the country throughout Lent. “Sharing faith stories of other religions is timely, since people are straying away from goodness,” said Hindu priest Saupakiya Kumara Kurukkal, 66, of the Sri Balakathirkama Temple in Jaffna. Although there are differences in our religions, Christianity teaches “genuine concern for one’s neighbours, sharing the bounties of life with others and simple living.” The music was arranged with everybody in mind, he said. It helped bring out the drama especially the scenes leading up to Jesus’ resurrection. The happy ending was enjoyed by all, especially children in a war ravaged city, he added. Father Nicholappillai Maria Xavier, who heads the CPA, was pleased with the performance and the turnout. “Our main goal is promoting peace and unity as well as artistic excellence,” he told UCA News.