Many security forces are still patrolling the streets of Colombo. Especially in front of hotels, mosques, temples and churches. Empty beaches, empty hotel rooms. Even three weeks after the Islamist attacks on Easter Sunday, many people in Sri Lanka are still in shock. Nevertheless, the first Sunday services will take place in most churches of the Sri Lankan Archdiocese of Colombo from today.
“Feel the fear in us”
“We still feel the fear in us,” says Lucia Fernando, “but when I entered the church, I was very happy. The feeling of happiness is just greater than the fear.”
More than 250 people have died and more than 500 have been injured in the attacks three weeks ago. Lucia did not know the victims personally, but she mourns for her Christian sisters and brothers, the divine service gives her comfort.
Lost everything in a second
Pradeep Thushantha has not been able to find it for three weeks. Because he had night service, the father of the family had not gone to the morning Easter service. When he wanted to pick up his family from the church, he heard a loud bang.
“I walked into church and saw my wife’s body lying on the floor. I recognized her dress. She was still breathing. My son and my two daughters lay next to her. My children, all dead. I hugged them one by one and asked God, how can it happen that all my children, in just one second, are suddenly no longer alive?”
Pradeep’s wife died in hospital just a day later. What remains are the photos of her and the children that Pradeep hung at St. Sebastian Church. Guarded by dozens of soldiers.
“People can return to normal life”
Three weeks after the attacks, however, there is little risk that Islamists could continue to attack, Sri Lanka’s army chief said this week:
“We have the situation under control. We have already arrested most of the supporters here in the country. Now we are still investigating how the attacks could have occurred. We take care of ourselves. The people of Sri Lanka can return to their normal lives.”
In recent days, Muslims and Christians have clashed in some places, but they have also been able to quickly bring the security forces under control.
Classrooms remain empty
Most people in Sri Lanka simply want to be able to live in peace again, as they have done for ten years. Previously, there had been a civil war on the island. It had lasted more than 25 years. Tomorrow, The Catholic schools in the country are to reopen. The roughly 10,000 state schools have been open since last Monday, but so far very few students have come to class.
Lucia and her niece sit alone on a bench in St. Philip’s Church in Colombo, less than half of the benches are occupied at all. Many Catholics do not yet seem to dare to return to their church.
