Hello Friends,
It was on July 22nd that I posted an article by Lilani Jayatilaka on this blog with my heading “A Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Sri Lanka”?.
As I stated in my introduction the article in question had appeared in the “Sunday Island” of July 12th 2009 under the heading “Healing Memories:Lessons to be learnt from the South African Experience”.
Here is what I wrote then-”There was an excellent article offering much food for thought in the “Sunday Island” of July 12th 2009 by Lilani Jayatilaka that focused on the lessons of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
The article was inspired by Bishop Desmond Tutu’s book “No Future Without Forgiveness”. The book is on the findings of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission which Bishop Tutu chaired.
Lilani who is experienced in counselling emphasises how important it is for the people of this land to speak out about their grief, suffering and sorrow.
Reading and re-reading this article was an uplifting experience for me and I want to share it with you all.”
The article did result in making people think and there were quite a lot of comments. Some of these expressed very clear thoughts.
Still I was sorry that many who commented seemed to have either missed what Lilani was trying to say or misunderstood her.
An erudite observer who is perhaps Lilani’s “best friend” said it best in a personal e-mail to me.
I am excerpting the relevant paragraph here without revealing the writer’s identity.
“Reading some of the responses it is clear that some of those who had responded have not understood Lilani’s point correctly.
