Sri Lanka - and NPSL - has touched so many (including me) -

Dear friends near and far,

I am reflecting on the end of NPSL - and both saddened by the end, and glad of all the work that NPSL has been able to accomplish over these last years.

From our humble beginnings in 2003 - to the mature manifestation that NPSL became over the years - it has been quite a journey.

I attach a photo below of the first NPSL team of Unarmed Civilian Peacekeepers that was taken at the in-country orientation at the Sarvodaya headquarters in Moratuwa.

Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne invited those gathered at the opening ceremony to reflect not on how we were going to change Sri Lanka - but on how Sri Lanka was going to change us (individually and organizationally).  It was a wise invitation - and I think Nonviolent Peaceforce is all the better for how Sri Lanka helped shape, inform, and change us. 

Onward we go,
Peace,
Jan Passion

____________________________________________________

A group of "get in and get it happening people"

I have so many people to thank for their support and dedication that it was impossible to personally get to see you all before leaving the shores of Sri Lanka.

I truly am humbled to have worked with such a group of "get in and get it happening people" and I am so proud of the achievements that NPSL accomplished both in the operations and (for quite a lot of us) for our own personal accomplishments.

To the former team at Vavuniya field office during my tenure as HFO, the efforts and contributions from all of you was outstanding. I learned so much from you and now possess a greater understanding of the difficulties that a work environment such as ours encounters every day.

I must admit that I truly enjoyed my time in Sri Lanka and have been well supported with the work and outcomes we have achieved.

I am very well sure that we left Sri Lanka with great confidence in the people there, knowing that they are capable of overcoming any hurdles that will come up, singularly, and more importantly, together.
We were able to assemble a very competent and practical network that will undoubtedly provide excellent support to our former staff and partners, which personally provides me with a sense of pride and gratitude that is indescribable.

I thank all of you again, and I wish all of us the best of luck in our new career paths

I wish you all a Healthy and Prosperous 2012

Thanks, regards and best wishes,

Sylvester Lahai

Thank You NP-SL

Dear Colleagues,


This is yet another great occasion to remember our loved ones and open yet another chapter of our lives in 2012, my heart remembers each and every one of you in a special way. All of you (NPSL)are special to me and I treasure and cherish the friendship/working relation we have built.


I know time goes so fast (2yrs 8months), life asks so much. No wonder, friends get out of touch but, in my heart; deep true, unseen friendship stays forever green.


I pledge to keep in touch with you for; faith makes things possible, hope keeps us moving, love makes us one and trust keeps us together. It is through inspirational friends/colleagues like you that we maintain a smile on one another face.


There is always the start, middle and end OF several things in life, I happened to be almost in the middle but definitely at the end of NPSL and it is a great pleasure working with you all and I wish you all the best the future holds. I also extend my warm greetings to those 1 never met who were there from the start because if not for them I wont be in the END.




Chika Onah

Whenever u guys visit, let me know so we can catch up

Dear friends of NP then and last to leave

......sad to see NP go but glad and thankful about all the work done....including the many things we did together, from the unknown to most high profile....the accompaniment and help I got personally..too many to mention!!!

And also the good and fun times we had in even at worst of times amidst the shelling and stuff....in jafna, batti, trinco, vavuniya...and colombo.

Whenever u guys visit, let me know so we can catch up

Ruki Fernando

Fond Farewell

Dear colleagues,

It is with great personal sadness that I say farewell to you all, not least because I had hoped beyond hope to be allowed back into the country one last time to be able to say my thank you’s and good-bye’s in person. I still hope one day that may be possible and I look forward to that day! In the meantime, I want to thank you all who are still there and/or still connected to NP for all your brave and steadfast efforts to help the people of Sri Lanka in their hour of need.

I know very well that the need is still there in many cases, and that our work is not yet over. I have committed NP to finding new and innovative ways of providing appropriate support to those in Sri Lanka who need it most in the months to come, and while my fervent hope is that the situation will continue to improve such that our support is eventually no longer needed, I am also ready to re-open this project as and when it may become necessary.

For now, we must put to rest this particular chapter in NP’s history with Sri Lanka, even to enable a new chapter to be possible. It has been a great honour for me to have worked with and met so many of you during my time at NP, and I do not want this to be an end to our relationship  - it is a new beginning! So please stay in touch, keep me posted on what you are all doing in your personal lives as well as with the state of affairs more generally, and let’s continue working together for a more peaceful and safe Sri Lanka for all Sri Lankans…

Yours,

Tim Wallis,

Executive Director,

Nonviolent Peaceforce

My dear Steve, Thank you for your mail with the news of  closing down your office in Colombo. We remain ever united in our efforts towards true peace in the true way. 

With my prayers and wishes for a 2012 with God's dearest blessings. 

+Bishop Rayappu Joseph, Mannar.

Farewell

Dear Steve and colleagues.


We are sorry that you will be leaving--prematurely, as the worst is over, but we have still to cross the hill, or is it the valley, and reach the promised land where there will be no more disappearances, abductions and killings... so we will miss your presence at this time and for some time to come.


Jehan and all at NPC