Jaffna Catholic priests protest against Vanni killings, displacements

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 27 January 2009, 13:05 GMT]
Members and bishops from Jaffna Catholic diocese led by Jaffna Bishop, Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam, will launch a protest fast from Wednesday in St. Mary’s Church also known as ‘Periya Koayil’ in Jaffna, urging Sri Lanka government to stop artillery and aerial bombardment on Vanni civilians, and to bring an end to their continuing displacements, according to an announcement issued from Bishop’s House. The protest fast will begin at 9:00 a.m Wednesday and end at 3:00 p.m, and will continue on a rotational basis.

Religious and other organizations in Jaffna peninsula have expressed their support to the protest fast of the members of the Jaffna Catholic diocese.

Catholic priests from villages in the district is expecte to join in the fast with their congregation.

Requests have been made to Saiva, public and other organizations to lend their support to the protest fast.

Meanwhile, Jaffna University students continue their boycott of lectures for the second day against SLA artillery barrage on Vanni IDPs.

Jaffna University is deserted with only the Vice-chancellor and the security officers being present.

Large number of policemen and SLA soldiers have been deployed around the campus premises.

All educational and administrative activities of the University of Jaffna came to a complete halt Monday as its students launched their boycott of lectures in protest against the indiscriminate and deadly attacks unleashed by the government of Sri Lanka on the Tamil people in Vanni.