GOVERNMENT CONTRADICTS BBC
STORY ON REFUGEES AND TELLS CATHOLIC BISHOPS HAVE DISASSOCIATED THEMSELVES
FROM IT
By Walter Jayawardhana
The Sri Lanka government completely contradicted a news item broadcast
by BBC Sinhala.com relating to the internally displaced persons in Wanni
they sourced to “Catholic Church” and said the two Bishops
of the area have disassociated themselves from the statement issued
by the purported “Catholic Commission” , that had written
to the UN Secretary General.
“The story on BBC Sinhala.com which quotes a purported communication
from the “Catholic Church” addressed to UN Secretary-General
relating to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Wanni, does not
present an accurate picture of the reality on the ground,” said
Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe,
coneyed by the President’s Secretariat to this correspondent.The
statementon on IDPs had been sent by Father James Pathinathan to UN
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
“When a clarification of this news report was sought from their
Lordships the Bishops of Jaffna and Mannar, the Minister was reassured
by the Bishops that the communication was made without their sanction
and appears to be the writer’s personal perspective”, the
Minister said.
“The two Bishops have also acknowledged the excellent cooperation
extended to them by the Sri Lankan security forces and, in particular,
the Security Force Commanders serving in the Wanni, who are in regular
contact with them and have often facilitated delivery of humanitarian
assistance when requested by the Bishops”. , a Press Release from
the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights said.
The denial also said, “The recent story on BBCSinhala.com which
quotes a purported communication from the “Catholic Church”
addressed to UN Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon relating to internally
displaced persons (IDPs) in the Wanni and the “human tragedy”
supposedly unfolding in that part of Sri Lanka, has been strongly refuted
by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and
Human Rights, as a gross exaggeration. He said that the Government views
all civilians in the Wanni as Sri Lankan citizens and, as such, the
Government has done and continues to do its utmost to ensure their safety,
security and welfare. Noting that the Sri Lankan security forces have
been acting under specific orders to prevent civilian casualties and
that the Government, in spite of the ongoing military operations, has
continued to supply the people in uncleared areas with essential supplies
and services through the District Secretaries whilst being fully aware
that all of the supplies were not reaching ordinary civilians. This
is probably a unique situation in the world and is indicative of the
deep commitment of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administration
to ensure the wellbeing of ordinary Sri Lankan civilians living in these
areas. The Sri Lankan forces have done all that is necessary to ensure
that military operations have not resulted in civilian deaths or casualties.
“The purported communication to the UN Secretary-General is sourced
to one Father James Pathinathan who is said to be President of the Peace
and Justice Commission in the Wanni. Minister Samarasinghe sought a
clarification on this communication from their Lordships the Bishops
of Jaffna and Mannar. He was reassured by the Bishops that the communication
was made without their sanction and appears to be the writer’s
personal perspective. The two Bishops have also acknowledged the excellent
cooperation extended to them by the Sri Lankan security forces and,
in particular, the Security Force Commanders serving in the Wanni, who
are in regular contact with them and have often facilitated delivery
of humanitarian assistance when requested by the Bishops.
“Minister Samarasinghe also consulted the District Secretaries
(Government Agents – GAs) of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi on the
situation relating to IDPs in the Wanni. They had confirmed the adequacy
of stocks in hand and the regular supply of food and other relief items
by the Government to the Wanni. UN Agencies and other relief organizations
were also supplementing the Government’s efforts in this connection.
The problems faced by IDPs were being addressed including food relief
and temporary shelter in school premises. The GA of Kilinochchi informed
Minister Samarasinghe that there was a temporary shortfall in food stocks
due to transportation delays of WFP supplies which are due to be sent
from Vavuniya. The Government has taken immediate steps to coordinate
the expeditious delivery of these food items. He reaffirmed the Government’s
commitment to caring for these Sri Lankans and stated that IDPs will
be facilitated to move to cleared areas in Vavuniya where they can receive
all assistance. The Minister also requested the GAs to notify him of
any shortcomings in supplies in order that remedial action could be
taken.
“The story on BBCSinhala.com does not present an accurate picture
of the reality on the ground in the Wanni, he added. The Government
will continue, through modalities such as the Consultative Committee
on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA), chaired by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe,
monitor and coordinate the provision of enhanced relief to any and all
Sri Lankan civilians affected by the conflict, should the evolving situation
require it.”
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