A new book entitled Reconciliation and Peacebuilding in Post-war Sri Lanka: through the Healing of Memories and the Role of the Catholic Church was launched in Colombo on June 2, 2018. The book has been authored by Fr. J.M. Joseph Jeyaseelan, CMF. Gracing the occasion as chief guest was His Excellency Most. Rev. Dr. Pierre Nguyen Van Tot, Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka. In attendance were a government minister, the president of the Conference of the Major Religious Superiors in Sri Lanka, the family members and friends of Fr. Jeyaseelan, a good number of priests, religious, members of the Claretian family in Sri Lanka, representatives from religious, non-governmental and civil society organizations. During the launching event, the book was introduced by Dr. Jehan Perera, Executive Director of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka, and reviewed by Prof. Shirley Wijesinghe of the University of Kelaniya. A message sent to the author by Rt. Rev. Dr. Winston Fernando, SSS, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka, was read out during the launching event.
Commenting on the nature of the book, Fr. Robert Schreiter of Catholic Theological Union, Chicago writes the following: “Fr. Jeyaseelan’s work makes a major contribution to our understanding of how the healing of memories may be brought about, and how the Church can accompany this process. It deserves a wide readership in Sri Lanka, and well beyond to the many similar settings around the world today.”
During the review of the book, Prof. Shirley Wijesinghe said that “The book is basically addressed to the Christian Churches in general and the Roman Catholic Church in particular. The author’s affiliation to Christianity and his hope in the capacity of the Sri Lankan Christian tradition to contribute to peace is clearly visible.” He concluded the review with these words: “Fr. Jeyaseelan, your book is an excellent work, highly recommended to be read by every Christian in this tormented country.”