SRI LANKA: TIPTOE THROUGH THE TANGLES

KANDY: 3rd September -- The entire world knows of the tangled conflict that has wracked the northern part of Sri Lanka, especially the Jaffna Peninsula; the world knows too of the two year peace process and the gradual but observable benefits it is bringing to the people on either side of the peculiar border that still separates them to some extent.  Few people, however, know of the work of a small but dedicated band of confreres whose mission is precisely on that border.  Led by Fr. Anthony Pinto, a peace mission is underway amidst a peace process.
But first some details on that border.  Nochiyagama (or perhaps more correctly Nochchiagama - depends which university you went to!) is the
setting for what the Salesian Year Book (Annuario/Elenco) describes as 'St. Sebastian Church - Parish, Youth Centre, Evangelization, non-formal
technical school and English Language Centre'.  In fact it lies at the heart of 'Tiger' country and equally a none too trouble free interface between
Buddhist, Hindu and Christian faithful.  Peace process and all, it is no secret that the thin strip of jungle between the Jaffna Peninsula and the
Sri Lankan mainland is held still by Tamil Tiger forces, whereas Jaffna itself is securely held by Government forces.  To visit Jaffna, now possible
for ordinary folk, one has to first pass through government checkpoints, then receive a visa from the LTTE through the jungle, then be received again by government checkpoints.  Thousands of people of course live in-between and herewith the focus for Fr. Pinto and his men.
The task is delicate enough.  A mere 150 Catholics in an area that is largely Buddhist, but the telling point is education, informal for the most
part but effective.  Of an evening as many as 3,000 children attend classes of various kinds.  The watchword has to be friendship and peace.  Fr. Pinto has helped the Buddhists revive their Sunday school, in fact his students attend evening classes with the Salesians then head off to take their Buddhist catechism classes in Sunday school.  What a creative way of passing on Salesian values!
The hope is that Jaffna itself will become a place for Salesian presence - it is certainly the desire of the Bishops, and the Salesians themselves, who
recently held their Proivncial Conference of South Asia meeting in Sri Lanka for the first time, would hope similarly.