Religious Task Force Wanni bound

Resume peace talks, says Mannar Bishop

By Ananth Palakidnar

A peace Task Force initiated by the Catholic Church and comprising leaders of all religions would travel to the Wanni soon to explore the possibility of putting back the de-railed peace process on track, said the Bishop of Mannar, the Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph.

The Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph emphasised that all efforts must be focused seriously on resuming the peace talks and preventing clashes between the Security Forces and the LTTE.

The Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph along with the Archbishop of Colombo, the Rt. Rev. Oswald Gomis and the Chief Administrator of the Madhu Church Rev. Fr. Emilianuspillai met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Friday.

Commenting on his meeting with President Rajapaksa, the Mannar Bishop told the Sunday Observer that the President has explored ways and means of creating a no conflict area in the Madhu region to alleviate the sufferings of innocent civilians in the area.

"The President gave a patient hearing to the issue we brought to his notice. Around 25,000 civilians have been displaced due to the tense situation in the region. Therefore following the details provided to him on the conditions in the areas adjoining the Madhu shrine, the President responded positively towards creating a no conflict areas in the Madhu region," the Mannar Bishop said.

The Bishop said that all political, religious and civil societies should get together to avert the current warring situation.

"The Catholic church is planning to go ahead with exploring the possibility of preventing clashes and taking efforts to put the de-railed peace process back on track.

A delegation of clergymen is expected to travel to the Wanni to study the situation and to urge the LTTE to go for peace talks. It is the duty of each countryman to work towards peace and overcome the adverse effects the war brings.

There are fears among civilians everywhere in the country whether an all-out war would break out. Therefore let us unite and work towards resuming the stalled peace process," the Bishop said.

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