Bishop pleads: End this senseless violence

Colombo’s Anglican Bishop the Rt. Revd. Duleep de Chickera, yesterday pleaded with the President and the leaders of other political parties to end the senseless violence in the country and initiate peaceful, non violent steps towards a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict.

In a message strongly condemning the Piliyandala bus bomb horror for which the LTTE was apparently responsible, the Bishop said:

Bishop de Chickera

“Friday evening’s Piliyandala bus bomb explosion that killed twenty-six civilians and left more than 70 injured is an act of vicious violence and must be condemned. Once again, the finger points to the LTTE.

“The recent killing of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Karunairatnam in Ambalkulam in the Wanni was another tragedy in this never ending conflict and must also be condemned. His killing could well have been the work of a military deep penetration unit, now known to operate within these areas.

Reports of fierce military confrontations and aerial bombings in the Wanni, have and continue to cause very heavy casualties amongst soldiers and cadres on both sides. Every life destroyed is a totally unnecessary death of a son or daughter of our soil.

Whether soldiers or cadres or civilians, these are our people who are being killed in a senseless war being fought by those with little political will to resolve our crisis through negotiations. I express the condolences and prayers of our Church to all Sri Lankans in the North and South who grieve at the loss of loved ones. May the risen Lord who shares human grief sustain us through life.

The impact of the conflict also has serious repercussions on the cost of living which has now reached a crisis stage. The modest and the poor simply cannot make ends meet and the Government must hear the cries of the people and bring immediate relief. Good governance has everything to do with ensuring the dignity of people and feeding and protecting them. It calls for steering us away from death to life.

I once again plead with the President and leadership of all political parties to put an end to our differences and to address the sufferings of all our people. We still have able leaders and the necessary skills to work for peace. Please think and speak differently and initiate and nurture practical non-violent steps towards a lasting solution. All communities will walk with you and our children will call you blessed.