Centre for Performing Arts' Monthly Activities

Once again we take this opportunity to update you on the peace-building activities of the Centre for Performing Arts against the backdrop of a renewed bloody civil war.

The situation for the people in the North and the East is extremely critical. In Jaffna:there is daily curfew from 6pm to 6 am; young people and prominent citizens are being abducted and killed; thousands of people have been displaced for the umpteenth time; there is shortage of food and medicine; there is no way of travelling by road outside the Peninsula; the worst affected are babies because baby-food is not available; essential food items are at times so costly that they are beyond the reach of ordinary people. The fact that most of our staff in the Jaffna office do not take their breakfast is an indicator of the lamentable and distressing situation in the North. One should also point out the mental agony of parents and the psychological terror which the children are subjected to due to militarization. In Trincomalee in the East, many people have left for India. More than half of Trinco CPArts members have left the area. In certain areas of Batticaloa, many people have taken refuge in the jungles and according to reports some children have died due to lack of medicine. Let it be noted that this situation report is not blaming anyone for this state of affairs.It is finally the terrible and senseless war that is the root cause of all suffering. However, our members in all these areas have risen to the occasion and continue to be active in the midst of this tragedy.The Jaffna CPArts organised bhajan services (meditation/prayer/hymns) in many parts of Jaffna visiting camps and welfare centres to console the suffering people and give them hope.It also collected used clothes and other items from CPArts members and distributed them to the most needy. It is conducting seminars and workshops for youth and children on a regular basis. It also conducted on a grand scale Children's Day on 14 October.

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The Trinco CPArts is able to do work only among children. It is conducting classes and meditation sessions for them. The Batticaloa CPArts is very active. Seminars, Workshops and even performances are held with and for the youth.

In other regions of Sri Lanka, CPArts is carrying on its usual activities. A case of CPArts solidarity and concern: Minutes after it was known that Galle Harbour had been attacked on 17 October, a number of CPArts centres phoned up Galle CPArts to find out whether CPArts members in Galle were O.K. CPArts takes pride in the fact that it fosters a family spirit.

Here are some special programmes during the months of August, Sept. and October:

A Convention of Women was held on 5th and 6th of August at Sindi Hall in Colombo. Two resource persons, one from Save the Children and the other from Sarvodaya, were invited to conduct four sessions. Eighty CPArts women participated.
A Peace workshop was organized by Batticaloa CPArts on 10 September and about 150 youths participated.
Week-end workshops were organised in Panadura and Colombo on the following themes: Programming, Problem Analysis, Media, Project writing and Drama and Theatre. This project will be continued till the end of the year.
The Avissawella CPArts organised a major dance programme on Sept 23. It was entitled NIRMANI 2006 and more than 1000 spectators were present.
The International Children's Day was organized in Wellawaya by Monaragala CPArts on October 6/7/8.In all 174 children from 13 CPArts Centres took part. Children from the North could not come.CPArts Children from other regions were able to play together and renew their friendships.
CPArts Mannar celebrated the World Peace Day on 20 September in collaboration with UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, World Vision, Seva Lanka and the Ministry of Education in the District of Mannar.
Two special workshops were held by WERC for CPArts women groups in October.
A nine-month Australian High Commission project of training budding artistes in the fields of Sculpture and Painting with help from Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in the Tsunami-affected areas in the South.
Good news: Inspite of the traumatic stress due to war, 12 pupils of Jaffna CPArts College of Aesthetics appeared for the Dance and Music exam and got through in the first division.
Peace prayer/meditation services are being organised by CPArts in many of its Centres on 29 October against the backdrop of Peace Talks in Geneva.

Notwithstanding the horrors and frustrations of a bloody civil war, CPArts will continue to bring children, youth and women from various regions together with the cry:
WE ARE ONE FAMILY.

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PS: Our Director, Fr. NMSaveri, is slowly recovering after a heart operation. He wishes to thank all his friends and benefactors for their prayers, get-well wishes and messages of solidarity.