Some 60 Tamil Catholic technical college students from Aripp in Mannar traveled 200 kilometers to Maggona in Colombo archdiocese on the four day trip to meet Sinhalese communities and youth.
The May 9-12 trip for 20 girls and 40 boys was organized by Oblate priests from the Center for Society and Religion.
The youths said the trip was a chance to build harmony and rebuild a new community in Sri Lanka, especially among Christians who share a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural background.
Tamils make up 12.5 per cent of the country’s population.
“They [the Sinhalese community] welcomed us warmly, listened to our problems and treated us like family members. It was a great opportunity for the young people to discuss problems such as ethnic discrimination,” said Father Marisal Gabriel Arulpragasan who accompanied the Tamils.
He urged Church and civil organizations to promote more of these programs for young Sinhalese and Tamils.
According to student Mariamuttu Jesudasan, 21, some of his Tamil companions were still fearful of Sinhalese people as a result of their bad experiences during the war, but the trip went a long way in helping them overcome their fears.
Holy Family Sister Subajini Gnanapragasan told UCA News that the program was helpful because it allowed the group to better understand Sinhalese and build friendships which in turn could help them build a peaceful Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne recently said Sri Lanka plans to set up a reconciliation commission to foster ethnic unity.
He said the government hoped the panel will ensure that the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils did not return to warfare.
Source: Tamil, Sinhalese youths strengthen ties (UCAN)
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