Homage paid to slain Fr. Kaunaratnam in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 April 2008, 13:28 GMT]
More than a thousand people participated in the special Holy Mass Tuesday in Jaffna Cathedral (Kognchegnchi Maathaa Koayil) in Jaffna, paying homage to Rev. M. X. Karunaratnam, killed in a Claymore attack in the Vanni. Rev. Karunaratnam tirelessly strove to expose the human rights violations in Sri Lanka to the International Community and its various organizations including Vatican, Jaffna Bishop House Principal Priest, Rev. Justin Gnanapragasam who conducted the Holy Mass, said in his speech. People in Jaffna peninsula, for the first time since August 11 2006, assembled in large numbers at one place to participate in an event.

A large gathering of Rev. Fathers and Holy Sisters, parish priests and Catholics from all parts of the peninsula and people of other faiths too took part in the Holy Mass paying homage to the slain Rev. X. M. Karunaratnam.

Many laid flower garlands on the photo of Rev. X. M. Karunaratnam and offered flowers in reverence in an emotionally charged atmosphere.

The Reverend Fathers who spoke alleged that the slaying of Rev. Karuratnam was a targeted act.

Holy Masses paying homage to the slain Rev. Father were also conducted Tuesday in several churches in other areas in the peninsula morning and evening.

Chronology: