Srilanka, Oct. 24 -- Disunity grows when loyalty to a person becomes more important than responsibility for that person's actions. Suspicion replaces trust. Institutions become battlegrounds. Neighbours begin to see enemies across differences of religion, ethnicity or political allegiance. The damage weakens the relationships through which a society lives together.Visit Temples

Those who sow dissension can acquire influence by keeping communities anxious and aggrieved. Every criticism becomes an attack upon the group; every demand for accountability becomes persecution. Religious authority carries particular responsibility here. Words spoken under its protection can deepen hostility or encourage people to examine their conduct honestly....