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A Call to stop harming civilians in Sri Lanka
Friday, 8 February 2008 - 12:08 PM SL Time
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The recent spate of calculated mayhem targeted against innocent civilians that collectively killed scores of civilians including school children, and injured many more, especially at Dambulla and the Fort Railway Station must be condemned without reservation. It is clearly the work of the LTTE and demonstrates a total disregard for the right to life of simple adults and children going about their daily business of religious observances, work and recreation.
Such provocative behaviour is damaging and counter productive to the legitimate aspirations for justice and dignity of the Tamil people. It provokes feelings of resentment towards the peace loving Tamil community at large, strengthens the stance of extremist anti-Tamil elements and leads to the conversion of moderates to extremism.
During this time of Lent when the Church meditates on the suffering and death of Christ I convey the heartfelt condolences of our Clergy and congregations to all those who have lost loved ones, very specially all parents who mourn the loss of their beloved children. Our Church also prays that the injured will be restored to health and that the God of compassion will hold us all, victim and perpetrator of violence, in God s embrace of forgiveness and reconciliation.
I refer to my earlier statement on the recent claymore mine attacks within LTTE held areas that killed many including school children and caution all, that those who repeatedly resort to the massacre of the innocents lose their morality and the moral ability to do good even for their own. To strive for the political rights of some by violating the right to life of others is a contradiction of integrity.
Consequently I urge the LTTE to respect the right to life of civilians and to immediately stop all attacks against civilians.
I appeal to the GoSL to exercise mature restraint and to refrain from aerial bombings in areas populated by civilians in the North. Whenever these bombings occur in these areas I have great concern for the safety of the civilians and very specially the thousands of little children who are exposed to harm. Our Church runs two Homes at Killinochchi and Dharmapuram and I am aware that these little friends of mine live in fear and have nowhere to run except into their bunkers when the planes arrive. Please do everything possible to avoid harming these little ones.
I also appeal to both the LTTE and the GoSL to listen to voices that represent peace and justice for all and shift from war and violence towards steps that lead us to dialogue and a non-violent resolution of our current National conflict. It is much more important that this resolution is acceptable to all communities than it is to all political parties and actors.
I also appeal to all Sri Lankans to remain calm under provocation and to do all we can to strengthen understanding and peaceful co-existence. Our integrity and role as civilised persons is tested most when the Nation is provoked to act and retaliate violently against our own. May we not succumb to the manipulations of the violent and those who pursue power by any means. May we instead pursue peace for all living beings and spread goodwill amongst all living beings.
With Peace and Blessings.
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Eelanka
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 73
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 10 Feb 2008 06:42:15 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Killing innocent civilians is a crime in wartime, according to me.It doesn't matter who commits it, it IS a crime! |
magha
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 10 Feb 2008 06:46:18 GMT Report for Abuse
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Mr. Brown ,
It would be nice to know who the author is of this article. |
Magnum357
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 575
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10 Feb 2008 07:01:19 GMT Report for Abuse
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Magha,
It would be nice to know who the author is of this article.
I think it's a message from Bishop Duleep de Chickera the Bishop of the Anglican church.
Edited By - Magnum357 - 10 Feb 2008 07:02:51 GMT |
samanj
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Joined: Dec 2004
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 11 Feb 2008 15:24:57 GMT Report for Abuse
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tell that to the Canadian Hig Commissioner of SL, Gareth Evans of Global and of course to Dr. Rama Mani of ICES..............
Where is that resolution on R2P to protect civillians from the barbarian ??????????
Rami Mani's thinking is lop sided and appears need a good
scr8w to put it right ?????????????? |
Thambi
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Joined: Mar 2006
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 11 Feb 2008 16:22:42 GMT Report for Abuse
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The article should have written long before LTTE bring the WAR to south , some one feeling the pain after they got it home ,killing innocent civilians not acceptable they should left out of the conflict , but dunno why the same writer did not motivated in the past when Tamils were 100% on receiving end .
also i note the article does not care the hundred and hundred thousand tamils made IDPs , specially in East , they were maintained silence over the shelling and bombing , even now the same trend continue in North , why no reaction ? why cant they ask them to stop the WAR ?
there is one thing clear , as long as UNDER GO SUFFERING AND THE CRIMES AGAIN HUMANITY LIMITED TO TAMILS , there will be no reaction but only and only when this comes to Sinhalese some one waking up from the deep sleep , sad nation sad people no respect to human lives . |
ajan
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Joined: Apr 2005
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 11 Feb 2008 17:05:59 GMT Report for Abuse
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If LTTE had attacked sinhala civilians sameway sinhala Nazis attacked tamils 20-30 year ago. we could have saved 70,000 tamils lives.
when sinhala civilians start to die ' call for protection of civilians'
only when sinhalese got attacked the word comming out to save innocent civilians.
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