Sri Lanka: Mannaar Bishop questions SL defence attitude behind blocking prison visit

AI photo

Stone harted persons and officials in the island are a hurdle to the possibility of bringing reconciliation between the Tamil and Sinhala people, Bishop of Mannaar Rt Rev Rayappu Joesph told TamilNet this week citing how the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry scuttled a joint visit by him and the Bishop of Anuradhapura Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert Andradi to Anuradhpura prison when the religious leaders were scheduled to visit the 60 Tamil political prisoners to deliver a message of hope and some basic assistance on the Easter Sunday. It is this attitude, which is prolonging the limits of achieving harmony and reconciliation between the Sinhalese and Tamils, the Bishop said. 

Sri Lanka: BBS challenges govt. to arrest Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph

Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph

General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday challenged the government to take legal action against Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph forthwith who, he alleged, had helped the LTTE.

"If the government had the backbone and if its conscience was clear it should without hesitation arrest the Mannar Bishop for atrocities committed by the now defunct terrorist outfit," he said.

Tamil Christian Clergy from North-East Sri Lanka call for an international investigation

Against the land grab - Vikalpa photo

Tamil Christian Clergy from North-East Sri Lanka call for an international investigation mechanism from the UN Human Rights Council
Before the 19th and 22nd sessions of the UN HRC, some of us, as Tamil Christian clergy serving in the war ravaged North and East of Sri Lanka, wrote to the members of the UN HRC, appealing to appoint an international mechanism to look into allegations of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, during the war in Sri Lanka. We have experienced, heard and seen indications of numerous such allegations. Our own experience and knowledge correspondent to the findings and recommendations of the UN Panel of Experts, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and well known Sri Lankan and international human rights organizations.

Attend CHOGM and come and see the outcome of the war - Bishop Rayappu Joseph tells Manmohan Singh

Bishop of Mannar, Rev. Rayappu Joseph

The Bishop of Mannar, Rev. Rayappu Joseph, is urging Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and visit the Northern Province including Mannar during his stay in the island, as India had also promoted the war, and therefore he should see for himself, the outcome of the war. "I want him to participate in the upcoming CHOGM and thereafter pay a courtesy visit to the Northern Province, and meet the Tamils. He will then 'realize' the outcome of the war," he said.

Mannar Bishop denies ‘separation’ seeks ‘viable political solution’

Bishop of Mannar, Most Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph said he never stood for the separation of the country nor rejected any viable political solution to the national question. The Bishop made this statement in response to the lead story published in The Nation last week titled “Mannar Bishop, TNA Resurrect LTTE’s ISGA Demand”.

Questioning of Bishop Rayappu Joseph for long hours is a sign of intimidation to silence the Tamil voice - CSM

We the ‘Christian Solidarity Movement’ are alarmed to be informed that Bishop Rayappu Joseph of the diocese of Mannar has been questioned by the CID about a statement made by him over the issue of deportation of asylum seekers, by the Australian government. This is not the first time that the Bishop has been interrogated by the CID.
It is no secret that Tamil people are constantly harassed by the military on suspicion for their links with the LTTE and as a result they are suffering at the hands of the military. The voiceless Tamil people are really condemned to suffer in silence as a result.

Court action against Bishop of Mannar. - Weerawansa web site

The Criminal Investigation Department has made arrangements to take court action against Rev Father Rayappu Joseph, the Bishop of Mannar, for issuing false statements, supporting the Tamil Diaspora, allied to the L.T.T.E.

The C.I.D. has summoned the Bishop to it’s headquarters for issuing false statements to the international media saying that, the Sri Lankan government is harassing the Vanni Tamil people, who have migrated to Australia illegally and sent back to Sri Lanka by the Australian government.

C.I.D has questioned the Bishop for five hours and obtained statements from him.