07/09/2008

SRI LANKA: A Call To Protect Civilians

A Statement from the Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo via the Asian Human Rights Commission (here)

SRI LANKA: A Call To Protect Civilians

People of conscience are perturbed that the current war in the LTTE occupied Vanni places the majority of civilians at tremendous risk.


Unarmed and trapped in this war zone, large numbers of civilians including children are caught in the intense cross-fire of a deadly armed confrontation. Thousands are already displaced and can flee only to places of temporary safety.


The situation faced by these civilians is even more desperate since they cannot act independently. They are under conflicting pressure from both sides to support their respective strategies of movement and fear reprisals if they do not. Their dilemma adds to their suffering.

Since both the GOSL and the LTTE claim, they are in this war for the liberation of these very civilians it is imperative that they jointly invite and assist the ICRC and UNHCR to set up peace corridors and peace zones for the safety of civilians.


My Roman Catholic colleague, the Bishop of Jaffna, the Rt. Rev Thomas Savundaranayagam has already made this suggestion and it needs to be reiterated. If for some reason these agencies are unable to intervene, then an inter-religious group of leaders must be invited to do so. The Government's assurance that food, infant milk powder, medicine and other essential commodities are being supplied to the people of this region is to be commended.


This process must be monitored by a senior Cabinet Minister in collaboration with the civil administration in the Vanni. It will also require facilitation by the military if it is to function smoothly in the circumstances of the war.


The Rt Revd Duleep de ChickeraBishop of Colombo


Posted on 2008-08-29


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For this proposal the Bishop was attacked anonymously in LankaWeb News.


The plight of civilians in Vanni arose as a result of the breakdown of civilian
institutes. Against this background, Rev. Duleep de Chickera wants to boost
the sagging morale of the LTTE. By doing so, he contradicts the teaching of
the very book that he is supposed to follow to the letter [i.e. Romans 13:1]. No other rational argument can explain his desire to open up so-called 'peace zones' in
trouble spots at the eleventh hour; we have been there before, Reverend!

Rev. Duleep de Chickera's desire to elevate a terrorist outfit to the level of a legitimate government is, in the context of Biblical teachings, not divine. Since in the eyes of God, everything is black or white with no room for grey, Rev. Duleep de Chickera's attempt, by default, becomes classified as outright evil.


In a divided country, in the midst of violence, it is not easy to stand up politically and it is certain that no side will thank you for seeking an alternative.

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