Batticaloa

We have just returned from Batticaloa which is a city on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. When I expand my blog skills I will try to include a map.

I have described trips to the South and Hikkaduwa which was very severly damaged by the Tsunami. It seems that one of the reasons they were so badly hit was because of their work. Many people in the community were involved in breaking corral, and so most of the corral reefs have been destroyed. Any hope that nature had of protecting the shores with the reefs is not possible around Hikkaduwa with the corral breaking. The industry is gone, the shores were too exposed and the area is extensively damaged.

Batticaloa is a largely Tamil community with mainly Hindu and Christian faiths in Batticaloa and communities primarily Muslim just south of Batti.

People tell of the snakes that gathered in large groups under the singing fish bridge. (Singing fish, like dolphins are said to be seen in the area, hense the name of the bridge.) The snakes had massed in such large numbers that crouds came to see them and there were beacons into the water so the mass of snakes could be seen at night. Again the snakes appear to forshaddow the Tsunami.

The first waves stuck the community as many were going off to places of worship. It seems that the second and third waves did the most damage and people tell stories of heroism as soldiers (previously unwelcome LTTE) going into the water to save people, and the family member watching then as the soldier lost his life in the water.

One couple got married this Sunday. They had their engagement party on the 26th and of the 23 family members gathered, only 11 survived. The couple got married with less than half their families, no dowery or special clothes, but a strong commitment to celebrating the marriage as they mourn together as well.

Batti seems a very strong community as they do not appear to wait for government support or funding. This is not likely to come with any great speed, or past record as the sinhalese government does not have much presence in LTTE areas such as this. The communities have formed their own neighborhood action commitees and have a strong voice.

They speak of building real homes, to replace those destroyed, not the rows of tin houses with no windows and which function more to roast those who dwell there as opposed to providing a home. The community speak about the bigger picture. 'We each had different homes, and we will have different needs now too.'The fisherman speak in practicalities,'How can I live so far from my boat?' and other fisherman do not wish to return to the sea just yet, and it seems there is little market for fish with the locals.

What AHIMSA is concerned about is encouraging children to return to school. It is easy to bring people into child soldiering when it appears that there is nothing. We are doing a double effort as we are bringing notebooks and school supplies and also making notebook covers which have peace quotes from various faiths. We have also added ideas on anger (STARR) perception (the blind wise men & the Elephant) and also cartoons about conflict resolution with interests and options.

We are translating all these sections to include english Tamil and Sinhalese.

It is important for us at AHIMSA to work with all the populations of the island, and it is long term work to help children get back to schools (and even first those who are homeless must leave the schools where they live now in Batti.) We are creating relationships in communities from which peace work and resilience will follow.

Thank you to all of you who have supported our eforts and I appreciate your interest. I hope you have had a chance to read about Sri Lanka else where on the web, and even seen a map. I am now getting eaten alive by mosquitos so i will close now until next week.

Peacefully, and bitten,
Martha




“A man finds no justice if he carries a dispute to violence. No, he who knows right from wrong, who is learned and guides othe rs- not by violence, but by the same law, being a guardian of the law, who shows intelligence: He is called just.”

The Dhammapada- Buddhist scriptures

“If you want to see the brave, look at those who can forgive. If you want to see the heroic, look at those who love in return for hatred.”
The Bhatagavad-Gita - Hindu scriptures

“Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
The Gospel of Matthew- Christian scriptures

“Shall I not tell you what is better than prayers and fasting and giving alms to the poor? It is making peace between one another: enmity and malice destroy all virtues.”

Words of Muhammad- Islamic Tradition