Let's mingle By Sirohmi

She was a devout Catholic and was praying as she walked along the road. A woman was sweeping the pavement and she stopped and wished the sweeper a good morning. The sweeper smiled and responded, using a Buddhist stanza and asking the Gods to protect her not knowing and probably not caring that the latter was a Catholic. She went on her way and soon she was in the swimming pool enjoying the luxury of having the pool to herself. Then a bearded Muslim gentleman came for his regular morning swim. She called out "Good Morning" and he responded. Then the man and the woman continued their swim at different ends of the pool. He finished his swim and as he walked off she told him, "Have a Good Day" and he responded with a smile, "Thank you. Wish you the same." The man and the woman went their separate ways and probably, the early morning greeting and sharing enabled all of them to have a really good day. Isn't it only in sunny Sri Lanka that this kind of informal sharing and co-existing can take place between men and women belonging to different religions? The world news networks bring us stories of wars and conflicts between people of different races and religions. Certain religious leaders propagate their religion being superior to the others. To many, their religion brings them solace. Religion is a very personal matter and depends on each person's system of beliefs and, also the circumstances one is placed in. Let's share what is common to all religions and mingle bringing out our essential humanity.