Sri Lanka - Clarence I. Mendis - 1981 Graduate
Farms Lanka
submitted by Clarence Mendis, General Manager, April 21, 2019
Network e-Bulletin No. 2, May 2019
Easter Sunday Terror Attack in Sri Lanka
The whole world was shocked to hear the news of six suicide bomb attacks, followed by another two explosions on 21st April 2019, the day of Easter. The six blasts hit three churches: St. Antony’s Church in Colombo, St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, and Zion Evangelical Church in Batticaloa as well as three popular five star tourist hotels: Kingsbury Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, and Cinnamon Grand Hotel in the heart of Colombo city which was serving a special Easter breakfast on this particular day for Christians. The series of blasts took place between 8:45 and 9:15 AM. This happened to be the first attack targeting Christian communities and churches in Sri Lanka in recent times.
https://gyazo.com/7abd41076cbf149216a57be4026a41c2
Police outside St. Antony’s Church, Kochchikade - Colombo
After three decades of civil war, which ended on 18th May 2009, citizens in Sri Lanka regained their normal day-to-day lives. All ethnic groups in Sri Lanka travelled without any difficulties to any part of the country living with harmony. Usually the Christian community in Sri Lanka considered as silent worshippers and observe their religious celebrations peacefully. Sri Lanka became the best country to visit with peace and harmony by the worldwide tourist agencies in recent times and many tourists have visited Sri Lanka during this season.
St. Antony’s Church, Kochchikade in Colombo is one of the most popular churches in Sri Lanka where a large congregation of Sinhalese and Tamils gather, especially on Tuesdays and Sundays. St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya is a village church surrounded by many Roman Catholics, mostly Sinhalese, in Negombo called as ‘’little Rome’’ and there are many catholic churches in the vicinity. Zion Church in the Eastern province is an independent church mainly serving the Tamil Christian community.
Many foreigners were killed in the blasts that occurred in three hotels where a special Easter breakfast was being served with many foreign Christians who were attending together with locals.
According to the media reports:
359 deaths including around 40 foreign nationals from India, UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, USA, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Portugal
More than 500 critically injured and hospitalized
Some were unable to be identified from the remaining body parts and many children were among the victims
The attackers targeted the lives of as many worshippers as possible on this very special day of Easter. After the attack it became a sorrowful day around the country and for the Christian community worldwide.
https://gyazo.com/3b48fbf32324a28e969fa3f473531f39
St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya – Negombo
After the bomb blast, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Colombo announced to close all the churches and cancel the Easter services. The closure remained island-wide until further notice with police protection. The other Christian leaders of other denominations followed the same procedure and some services were called off halfway on Easter Sunday when the alerts were sent by the security officials.
What is revealed from this attack?
Targets were Christian churches and their worshippers. The motives are still largely unknown.
According to security intelligence, a Muslim group belonging to National Thowheed Jamath and connected to ISIS carried out this series of bomb blasts
Due to security concerns and suspicion of more attacks, church doors were closed, and prominent Christian leaders were given protection by the Government.
Churches, Christian institutions, Christian schools and other schools are closed until further notice. Curfew was imposed in the evenings and security alerts with search operations and checking of persons, their belongings and vehicles were tightened. Public transports were not allowed to carry parcels and the night mail trains were cancelled.
There are possibilities for more explosions as revealed by the media.
Sri Lanka Population Summary
According to 2011/12 census the Sri Lankan population in 2018 is 20.9 million, approximately 70.2% Buddhists (mostly Sinhalese), 12.6% Hindus (Tamils), 9.7% Muslims, 7.4% Christians (Sinhalese and Tamils).
Background of Muslims and Catholics in Sri Lanka
Several centuries ago Arabian traders visited Sri Lanka, and some settled down, marrying Sinhalese women. The Portuguese came to Sri Lanka in 1505 AD and captured the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. During the Portuguese regime, they chased the Arabian traders from Sri Lanka. The Portuguese introduced the Roman Catholic religion to the country which is around 6.1%, and 1.3% other Christians of the total population (according to 2012 census). The Muslim population has increased rapidly in Sri Lanka during the past three decades, now 9.7% which is higher than Christians. Most of the businesses in Sri Lanka are owned by Muslims in the main cities in Sri Lanka.
https://gyazo.com/73c9c419451f26f1327dffe3eaf6082c
Zion Evangelical Church – Batticaloa
Involvement of Farms Lanka Ministry in Sri Lanka
Since 1973 Farms Lanka has been involved in Family Development in Sri Lanka with Christian churches. Later, with the approval of the government authorities, Farms Lanka started to work with all communities in Sri Lanka. Farms Lanka has stood with the Sri Lankan community whenever disaster, crisis or challenge is faced by the people, especially the poor. Farms Lanka has much experience working with the recovery process after tsunamis, floods, droughts, communal violence, working with the war victims, widows and orphans, etc. in many fields such as education, disaster management, livelihood, etc.
Suggestions
Fear had mounted on all Christian families and children to avoid their churches as the terrorist groups especially targeted the Christian community and their places of worship. Church buildings are closed until security authorities declare safety for people to gather in churches.
We must:
motivate church leaders to visit every home of the congregation and give them spiritual guidance
pray to overcome this strong blow of fear that had taken place during the 1st century among early Christians
Help the victims and their families with all available resources
Counsel the families, strengthening the faith in Jesus to forgive enemies
Organize peace building programmes among communities and in different faiths
Farms Lanka is prepared to assist the victims with whatever possible assistance is required. Farms Lanka already helped the Pastors prepare cooked food to distribute among the victims in Batticaloa.
The Farms Lanka office functions regularly with staff in Moratuwa. The Farms Lanka Conference Hall is open to any groups of Christians to come for a time of praise and worship and prayer as churches are closed due to threats.
https://gyazo.com/f3e9330ec1ddf5e70078ef89b8736e93
Assisting the injured and traumatized
A note from the author:
I am Clarence I. Mendis, ARI Graduate 1981 and refresher participant in 1989. I'm very blessed by ARI training, and my mentor on rural development was the late Dr. Toshihiro Takami. He visited our place twice.
Easter Sunday morning I attended a service led by women with my family at the Moratuwa Baptist church. At 7:30am, I travelled to Agalawatta Baptist church in a rural area for a special Easter program.
After a prayer with the pastor, Sister Ranjani started the Easter service at 9:30am with a gathering of around 200. Suddenly, a police officer told the pastor and me what had happened to several churches in Colombo, Negambo, and Batticaloa. The Catholic Bishops and the Christian leaders had decided to cancel all Easter Sunday services and lock the premises with police protection. Rev. Ranjani and I told the police that we would conduct our service. There were several police officers surrounding the church for protection.
I gave a powerpoint presentation during the service covering the meaning of Easter, the crucifixion, resurrection and eternal life. It is our duty to give the good news of Jesus who has forgiven our sins. I am happy that the non-Christian policemen also heard the message taken from the words that Jesus spoke on the cross and our hope through Him.
After the service, we we went home and got some news about what had happened, but there were a lot of restrictions on social media. Soon after the bomb blasts, most of the churches canceled all the Easter services and programs. From 6PM on Sunday until Monday morning, the government imposed curfew.
I know all of the attacked churches. Two are very popular Catholic churches and the other in Batticoloa is a popular free church. Nearly 300 are confirmed dead. Schools and universities are closed for 2 days and some Christian schools will be closed until the security is restored.
I have gone through these kinds of situations in Sri Lanka and in India and have preached in some churches during times of threats with police protection. Government officials who are very close with us from the Disaster Management Ministry suggested that we avoid church programs for at least a week until security is stabilized. Our message for Easter is very meaningful. Whether we live or die is in the hands of God.
We are planning to respond by assisting the Christian families who suffered during the attacks. We expect support from friends, well wishers, and as God provides. I am planning to visit the church that was affected in the Eastern Province next week.
We thank God for giving us the privilege of serving in His name. When the need arises, we respond positively in words and in deed in throughout Sri Lanka and in our neighbourhood.
I remember ARI in my personal prayers. I have also initiated ARI workshops in Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan graduates and visiting ARI teams. We wish God's blessings upon ARI to produce more peace-loving development workers.
Please continue to uphold us in your prayers.
https://gyazo.com/b439fe9ae74a424f27b5386158c3df14
Candle vigil