Police blocks prayer meeting

[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 October 1999, 19:49 GMT]
Mannar Police has refused permission to hold a silent procession and a prayer at the St.Sebastian's Church tomorrow morning, condemning the detention of district's Government Agent (GA) Mr.S.M.Cruz, church sources said.

The request was made by Rev. Fr.Emilianus Pillai, the Director of the Vaalvothayam, a catholic charity organisation in the district.

The Police had asked Rev.Fr.Emilianus Pillai to sign a letter declaring that he would not organise the procession sources said.

The letter was written in Sinhala, and it was translated for Rev.Fr.Emilianus Pillai before he signed it, the sources added.

Mannar Bishop Rt.Rev.Rayappu Joseph lodged a protest with the Assistant Superintendent of Police and the Co-ordinating Officer in Mannar.

Bishop said he told the authorities that it was "disorderly way of acting, and wanted to register the objection on behalf of the Catholic Church."

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