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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