Document
To the National Council of Churches in Sri Lanka
Geneva, 2 September 2011
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
It is with great sadness that we received the news of the passing of the Rev. Somasiri K. Perera, an eminent ecumenical leader in Asia.
Rev. Perera, a former president of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka and former chairperson of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka, served as a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. His contributions to the Asian ecumenical movement, especially through his active participation in various committees of of the Christian Conference of Asia were widely recognized.
His deep commitment and passion for peace with justice, especially his active involvement in the peace and reconciliation process in Sri Lanka were commendable. He had urged the WCC on several occasions to accompany the people and churches who have lived through the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka since the early 1980s.
We thank God for the life and witness of Rev. Somasiri Perera; and, on behalf of the World Council of Churches, I express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, members of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka and all other friends of Rev. Somasiri Perera in the ecumenical movement in Sri Lanka and in Asia. The worldwide fellowship prays with you and for your during this time.
May his soul rest in peace.
Yours in our common Lord, crucified and resurrected.
Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
WCC general secretary
