CSI Jaffna Diocese

Church Bell Rings; Wanni Rises Again

Wanni is Sri Lanka’s Rice Basket and Milk Fountain from the ancient of times. This region is also unique in the world for its tank irrigation system mastered and employed by the Wanni farmers for centuries. The Giant’s Tank at Mannar is considered among the most ancient in the world, if not the oldest and the pioneer in this field of agriculture.

After 30 years of a brutal civil war which caused utter destruction and unbelievable devastation to this region apart from thousands of lives lost, when it was felt Wanni will never rise at least for a long time to come, miracles have begun to happen.

Very much the first construction on the A9 Highway at Kilinochchi during the last four weeks has been the renovation of the Church of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI). Reverends Rajkumar, Joseph, Dickson and their colleagues and workmen with Bishop Daniel Thiagarjah giving a hand to them were seen at work with their cassocks tucked and folded at knee handling building, roofing and fencing equipment witnessing God’s stewards at work.

In double quick time the work was completed and we present here an intimate personal report on the historic Sunday morning worship service of February 28 from Dr Thaya Thiagarajah, when people gathered to praise God in thanksgiving – and they came from every direction from Kilinochchi and its surrounds where they have returned to re-establish themselves.

Very much committed to rural ministry, the JDCSI which had established several churches in the Wanni before the civil war will be embarking on a major rural social educational development programme for this region.

Sunday Service at Kilinochchi

Last Sunday, the 28^th of February was a special day for the people who have returned to their homes and villages in Kilinochchi and for the people who are waiting for their token in the IDP camps to return to Wanni.

The process of getting permission was a long one for those who were eagerly waiting to participate in the service from the IDP camps. They had to get the permission and the tokens by Saturday evening, had to spend the night at our Cheddikulam church, and early Sunday morning had to hire a bus to reach the Kilinochchi church

There were more than 150 people who participated in the worship officiated by the Rev. Rajkumar, the secretary of the JDCSI and the Rev. Joseph Thiagarajah delivered the sermon.

The new aspect of the service was the witnessing time by some of the members. They shared their experiences of horror during the war and thanked God for protecting them. I was really happy to see some of our church members who joined the church during our time of ministry in Kilinochchi and Mankulam before the civil war who still were faithful to the gospel. The oldest member, though lost his foot in shelling (the picture is attached) had come from the IDP camp to worship in his own church. The people got blessing from the priests after the service. All of them enjoyed the fellowship lunch that followed the service. The feeling they were back home was very much in evidence.

As people were surrounding me hugging and crying, one of the new members asked me ‘I don’t remember seeing you in the camp. Which camp do you live in, and why are these people are calling you amma?”

Well, I said, I belong to the camp of JDCSI and everyone burst into a hearty laughter.

The Day Care Centre for the children has started this morning. I can see the vision of prophet Jeremiah, the dried bones getting alive coming true in Kilinochchi. God is great.

Note by the Editor: Wanni is very home to Bishop Daniel and Thaya Thiagarajah. During their ministry here before the war, they became totally committed to the spiritual and other needs of the people, so much so they came to be treated as the first parents of the community. The best witnessing one cam experience at a church is when little children express themselves without any inhibitions; to many in Wanni Bishop Daniel and Thaya are Appah and Ammah” and in their home, they are their grandkids.