Bishop Malcolm Ranjith refutes press reports over his meeting with Rajapaksa

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 01:26 GMT]
Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcom, the secretary of the Congregation of Divine Worship of the Vatican, who visited Vanni Thursday to meet Liberation Tigers Political Head S.P. Thamilchelvan, has refuted press reports in Colombo which said that the Bishop had appreciated the Sri Lankan president for his measures to "wipe out terrorism," when he met the SL president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Monday. "I never said I appreciated anything connected with the war. I did not go for the meeting with the President to say such things," Bishop Malcolm dismissed the media reports in Colombo. "I don't appreciate war mongering or any violence," he futher told the reporters in Ki'linochchi.

Further referring to his meeting with Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Bishop Malcolm Ranjith told the press in Ki'linochchi that his meeting with the Lankan president dealt with "bilateral relationships between Holy See and Colombo."

"I spoke also about the situation in North and East and expressed my concern about the need for peace in Sri Lanka."

"But, unfortunately, I myself heard another version being beamed by the journalists on the Television."

Bishop Malcolm was accompanied by Bishop of Mannaar, Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph, along with a delegation of Christian dignitaries, including Rev.Fr.Damian Fernando, National Director Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC, when the secretary of the Congregation of Divine Worship of the Vatican, in his meeting with LTTE's Political Head S. P. Thamilchelvan, at the Political Division Head Quarters in Ki'linochchi Thursday around 11:00 a.m.

What is important is for the International Community to be active and provide help for these people, by providing them with essential food and items necessary for the lives as well as finding ways to solving the core issue, Bishop Malcolm said.



"The International Community has to also ensure that there is a more determined effort made in Sri Lanka for peace and for finding a solution to the problem."

Bishop Malcolm's meeting with the LTTE has taken place 3 days after his meeting with the Sri Lankan president.

Deputy Political Head of the LTTE, S. Thangan also took part in the meeting which lasted until 12:15 p.m.