A New Year, A New Day

. . . In Colombo. Spent all day yesterday, well most of it, traveling by bus from Trincomalee to Colombo. It was a gorgeous day full of sun and brilliant clouds dancing across the vibrant countryside. The colors of the mountains, jungles and paddy fields were sumptuous, absolutely scintillating. It was hard to believe there has been so much devastation, suffering and horror on the perimeter of this paradisial island.

I am in Colombo to pick up a 4WD pickup truck, generator and other provisions to drive back to Mutur, hopefully on Tuesday, no later than Wednesday. I shall be pretty scarce around these parts until then.

When in Trinco Saturday night I attended a coordination meeting of international agencies. The agencies with the Sri Lankan government, the LTTE and all other members of Sri Lankan society, including the Muslims, are facing a daunting task of collaboratively cooperating to overcome this monumental challenge presented by Mother Nature to survive together instead of blowing each other up. So far, despite some news reports to the contrary, this is happening. It is slow. It is sloppy. It is tenuous, but it is happening. At least that is my impression, that remains my belief. You can help by choosing to maintain the belief -- even act-as-if which is all I can do some of the time -- that all of this is happening for highest good, by choosing to believe in our capacity as a species to work together instead of finding horrible ways to kill each other.

One example, last week (that wasn't a year ago was it?) I sat in on an impromptu meeting in Mutur between a leader of the Tamil community and a leader of the Muslim community who was bringing supplies to be stored in his church. The reason Nonviolent Peaceforce has a team in Mutur is that prior to our arrival last year more killings and violence had occurred there than anywhere in Sri Lanka during the almost two-year ceasefire. Now the communities are working together.

Another example -- in Trincomalee District the government has a Task Force of several committees to address the disaster. Each of these committees are comprised of prominent members from the government, the Security Forces and the LTTE, both political and military wings. The nascent infrastructure of a joint form of cooperative government between the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities is evolving. Let's hope it continues.

On a more personal note, before I left Trinco Sunday morning, I stopped by the French Garden where I had stayed last weekend. I hoped against all hope that I would find my computer bag. Nope, not there. Apparently it still swims with the fishes in the muddy-green seas of the Indian Ocean. On a slap of concrete wall of what once was my Room Number Four (I have kept the key as a souvenier), however, just laying there was a muddy, now dried in the sun, Veterans for Peace T-shirt. Amazing. I took pictures of it, and of the lovely ocean view from what was the porch of my room, and the devastated French Garden Guest House. I'll get them up here eventually.

Thanks so much for your continued support, prayers, and contributions to the relief efforts in Sri Lanka and beyond. Pray for peace. Work for justice. Affirm "We shall overcome" mostly the limitations of ourselves.

Comments

[Marja-Leena]

Wishing you much strength in your admirable, remarkable and very important efforts in helping these devastated people!!

[Tom Coleman]

Its inspiring to read of your attitude and work in the face of this disaster.

[Ronni Bennett]

Interesting how Mother Nature has a way of pushing aside political differences. Perhaps this will be a lasting gain after such awful destruction.