Jaffna Bishop requests SL President to stop shelling, bombardment

(January 17, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Guardain) Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam has requested Sri Lankan President and Commander-in-Chief of the Lankan armed forces Mahinda Rajapaksa to stop all shelling and aerial bombardment at civilian places in Vanni.

In an urgent letter titled "Humble but urgent request to stop shelling on civilian places in sent on Monday, the Bishop said “It the duty of the Government to open a safe corridor for the safety of the civilians. Please stop all shelling and aerial bombings at civilian places”.

The letter said that owing to the ongoing shelling and aerial bombings by the Sri Lankan forces on civilians, who have taken refuge on the Paranthan Mullaiththeevu A35 Road, the people are being killed and many are sustaining injuries daily.

He said the displaced innocent people are in terrible plight and urged them to gather in the churches and temples. “The preists are also with the people”, he said, adding "Churches and temples are traditionally places of refuge in time of danger in our country”.

Copies of Bishop's letter to the President have also been sent to the Sri Lankan prime minister, defence minister and to the foreign ambassadors in Colombo.

This is the second appeal of Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam to the President of Sri Lanka this year, requesting to immediately stop the aerial strikes unleashed on the innocent civilians in Vanni.

His first appeal was made along with his New Year message to Mr. Rajapaksa. - Sri Lanka Guardian