As part of expressing solidarity with the government and the people of Sri Lanka during this tragic time, a delegation of church leaders and office bearers of National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and members of the Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind called on the High Commissioner Austin Fernando on 30th April 2019 at the High Commission. The group of members handed over a letter to the High Commissioner expressing their deepest condolences.  The full text of the letter is attached.

The members conveyed to the High Commissioner Fernando that they are deeply shocked by this incident of the bombings of churches and hotels which have claimed more than 250 lives and injured many more last Easter Sunday.  They affirmed that they stand in special solidarity with the Sri Lankan Government and those who are working hard to maintain peace in that region and that they wish to share the sorrow with the People of Sri Lanka and assured their prayers. Rt. Rev. Warris Masih – the Bishop of CNI – Dioceses of Delhi expressed their concern of the rising religious extremism and underscored the importance of peacebuilding in South Asia. The Spokesperson of the Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind who was part of the delegation highlighted that they will work together to eradicate these sections of the society that put forth divisions in society. 

High Commissioner Fernando noted in his remarks that the Easter Sunday attacks by the Religious Extremist Groups is an incident that should not have happened. He underlined that the reasons for this incident has to be corrected and safety and security of all people of Sri Lanka should be assured.  

The delegation from NCCI comprised of the following members with leadership of Rt. Rev. Warris Masih – the Bishop of CNI – Dioceses of Delhi.

1.Rt. Rev Collin C, Theodore – the General Secretary of North West India Council of Churches
2.Mr. Alwan Masih, the General Secretary of Church of North India
3.Colonel Daniel Raju Desari, Territorial commander of Salvation Army
4.Ms. Ella Sonawane, Assistant General Secretary, Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (ISPCK)
5.Maulana Mohmood Madani, General Secretary, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind
6.Niaz Farooqui, Secretary, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind
7.Rev. Asir Ebenezer, the General Secretary, National Council of Churches in India
8.Rev. Dr. Abraham Mathew, the Executive Secretary, Policy, Governance and Public Witness of NCCI

The NCCI is an ecumenical expression of protestant and Orthodox Churches in India as well as the ecumenical organizations, council and agencies in the country. These ecumenical organizations comprised of 14 million members from 30 member Churches, 17 regional Christian council and 25 other Church related agencies and it is also part of the World Council of churches (WCC).  

NCCI Letter

Sri Lanka High Commission
New Delhi
01st May 2019