Volume : 9

Issue :93105
E Mail : nandmana@sltnet.lk
www.humanrightsofficekandy.org

Human Rights Workshop for Religious and Priests was held from the 05th to 08th February 2018 in Bishops
House - Badulla with 30 participants with the theme of "Live and Let Live". Bishop Winston Fernando, the
Bishop of Badulla & the
Chairman of the Sri
Lankan Catholic Bishops
Conference addressed
the participants while
welcoming them to
Badulla and highlighted
the Human Rights issues
that we are faced with. It
was followed by a lively
discussion on Right to
life.

On the 06th February the participants travelled to Buttala "Subaseth Gedara" where
Fr. Michel Rodrigo immersed in the rough and tough life of the poor and down-
trodden and finally sacrificed his life 11th November 1987.

Fr. Rohan Silva OMI and Sr. Milburga Fernando helped the participants to
understand the life of Fr. Michael at Buttala, the challenges he encountered, the
transformation he brought in within the people of Buttala and the theology that
emerged with his life and ministry.
 There were two close associates of Fr. Michael
Mr. Dhambegoda Jinadasa and Ms. Nandawathi
present at Subaseth Gedara who described the
challenges that Fr. Michael encountered as he worked
for the development of the people's community
through a lived-experience of dialogue with the
villages, and monks of the area while conscientising
the people at the grass-root. His entry point was said
to be through a health programme and education of
school drop-outs.

"Somehow I found Christ. I went to the village and

was converted, because he was present. His favour called Grace made me detect his face" Poem of Fr Michel.

The participants reflected

on the life & mission of Fr.
Michael after returning
from the exposure during
the Eucharist and on the
following day as Fr. Rohan
& Sr. Milburga further
illustrated the history of
Subasth Gedara in relation
to the theological reflection
of Bishop Leo Nanayakkara.

Ruki Fernando made a powerful presentation on “Justice: What’s it about,

opportunities & Challenges”.
 Understanding “Justice” in the Bible
 Struggles for Justice in today’s context in Sri Lanka
 Some exceptions (success stories) & Challenges
He made the participants to explore Justice in the Bible which were shared
by the groups and different type of Justice found in the Bible were
highlighted. Ex; Distributive justice, Restorative justice, Retributive justice etc

He also explained the Human Rights situation and of the disappeared

families in the north and said that 366 days (as of 20th Feb) is a long time for
a 24 hour roadside protest. The protestors have been subjected to constant
surveillance and while protesting, they had also struggled to take care of
their children and engage in livelihoods, and range of other practical problems. Ruki further explained how he
has seen protesters getting sick, hungry, cold, sweating, their spirit and physical strength deteriorating but they
have not given up he said, they want to know “whether their disappeared children, husbands, are alive or
dead”. Finally Ruki invited the participants to join the protesters in solidarity.

The meeting came to a close with the evaluation and it was pointed out that inputs from various resource
persons would be useful. The need to have more members from the other dioceses and congregations, with
the possibility of
having sessions for
a few lay persons is
to be explored.

The next meeting

was fixed for 09th -
12th July 2018 at
Fatima Retreat
House in Lewella
Kandy.