NorthEast Bishops appeal for permanent peace

[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 December 2004, 06:09 GMT]
Bishops of Jaffna, Trincomalee-Batticaloa and Mannar Dioceses Bishop Thomas Soundaranayagam, Bishop Dr. Kingsely Swampillai and Bishop Rayappu Joseph in their Christmas Messages appealed to all communities, the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers to work hard to sustain the ceasefire agreement and to ensure permanent peace.

Bishop Thomas Soundaranayagam

Excerpts from the Christmas Message of Jaffna Bishop Thomas Soundaranayagam follow:

"Tamil people are still living in fear in their minds even after a 35-month-old ceasefire which is currently in force after a two-decade-old war.

"LTTE leader Mr.Pirapaharan has said in Heroes' Day speech that Tamil people cannot live continuously in a political vacuum without an interim or a permanent solution. In addition to that he had made an urgent appeal to the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) to resume peace talks without any further delay. It seems that the rejection of this request could create an inevitable situation for another war. International community and media have been taking note of the current situation. Tamil people are in state of dilemma thinking of the repercussion of the current stalemate.

"Tamil people are now not in a position to think of another war and connected atrocities due to their past experiences. Hence we appeal on behalf of Tamil people to the Government of Sri Lanka and the main opposition party to take immediate steps to ease tension in the minds of our people.

"We appeal to the parties concerned to work hard to reach a peaceful and permanent solution to the conflict restoring normalcy in Sri Lanka."

Bishop Kingsley Swampillai

Excerpts from the message of Bishop Dr. Kingsely Swampillai, Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa Diocese follow:

"Unfortunately peace process in Sri Lanka has come to standstill and it is considered danger to the country. All should come forward and work hard for the resumption of peace talks. The current situation in the east is critical. We should contribute our maximum to safeguard the current ceasefire although there are flaws in it.

"More specifically in the context of an elusive peace both in our country and elsewhere in the world, we have our complete and radical trust in Him who is the Prince of peace who has taught us to love each other and enemy without counting the cost.

"Love and forgiveness are the foundation for a healthy community.

Bishop Rayappu Joseph

Bishop Rayappu Joseph, Bishop of Mannar Diocese in his message said, "Our little country today is torn apart through strife and rivalries, suspicion and hatred. This is most of the time reflection perhaps of our own hearts. We should work hard for permanent peace in the country with equality, dignity and justice to all communities."