BISHOP URGES SINHALA GOVT TO OPEN A SAFE PASSAGE TO TAMIL IDPs!!!

Bishop urges Govt. to create safe corridor for idps

Says if A35 and A34 Roads are opened, people would seek refuge in safe areas

By Yohan Perera

Jaffna Bishop Rev. Thomas Savundranayagam yesterday called on the government to create a safe passage for the internally displaced persons in Mullaitivu in the Wanni District by opening the A35 and A34 roads so that they could take refuge in safer areas.

Bishop Savundranayagam told the Daily Mirror yesterday that the people will go to safe areas if the government makes an announcement and opens these roads with the assistance of ICRC and the UN.He said the government’s intention is to create a safe area within Mullaitivu which is not safe. “It is not safe to create a safe area within this area as there is LTTE presence,” he pointed out.

Bishop Savundranayagam also said the LTTE is also pressurizing the civilians without allowing them to move into safe areas.

The bishop said there are safe areas in several locations including Elephant Pass and Paranthan areas if the people are allowed to go to those places.

Referring to the present situation in the area, he said no individual is allowed to carry food stuff as the distribution is done by the ICRC, World Food Programme and the government agent in the area. “All shops are empty,” he said. The bishop said over ninety lorries full of food were sent by the World Food Programm e recently and another convoy of food was essential as people need food.

Another major issue in the area according to the Bishop is the lack of medical facilities as the hospitals in the area have been closed down. “Injured civilians do not know where to go because of this reason,” he pointed out.

“Opening up safe passages is of paramount importance in this situation,” he added

The bishop has already called on the government to stop aerial bombing and firing mortars at the places of worship.

“I am pleading with the Government to desist from firing mortar shells at the places of worship and stop aerial bombings of civilian places. It is the duty of the Government to open a safe corridor for the safety of the civilians. Please stop all shelling and aerial bombings of civilian places,” he wrote in a letter addressed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently.

He further said in the letter that displaced as well as the local civilians had taken refuge on the Paranthan Mullaitivu A35 Road and are heavily concentrated between Dharmapuram and Puthukudiyiruppu initially. Owing to the on-going shelling and aerial bombing by SL Security Forces on these sites; the people are getting killed and many sustain injuries daily. “The displaced innocent people don't know where to go for their safety. They are in a terrible plight. We have asked them to gather in the churches and temples. And the priests are also with the people. Churches and temples are traditionally places of refuge in times of danger in our country,” he added in his letter to the President.
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