Tibetan leaders condole demise of Nobel laureate Betty Williams

DHARAMSALA, 19 March: The Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well as the political head of the Tibetan people, Dr Lobsang Sangay have both offered their condolences over the demise of Nobel laureate and peace activist Betty Williams.

“With her death, we have lost a dear friend who dedicated herself to counter the use of violence in resolving conflicts,” the Dalai Lama has said in a missive addressed to her nephew, Lawrence Lovell, to express his condolences.

The Dalai Lama has described Ms Williams who passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday as a resolute and forthright in her pursuit of peaceful solutions and expressed his deep appreciation for her commitment to building a peaceful community of peoples and nations.

The Tibetan Nobel Laureate concluded his condolence letter by suggesting that “perhaps the best way to pay tribute to her would be to create peace in ourselves, with the result that our families and the communities in which we live are happy and at peace.”

CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay has described Ms Williams as while offering his condolences.

In a statement issued to condole the demise of Ms Williams, President Sangay has said that he was deeply saddened to hear that the “a long time friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet” is no more.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of Ms Betty Williams. She was one of the global icons of peace and a key architect in the Northern Ireland peace movement,” President Sangay has said.

Ms Williams, who formed Peace People in 1976 along with Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Ciaran Mc Keown, died on Tuesday aged 76.

The duo was awarded the Peace Prize in 1976 for their efforts in trying to encourage a peaceful resolution to the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie, and son, Paul.