President seeks N-E public help to probe violence

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday appealed to the Bishops of Jaffna and Mannar to get public cooperation to expedite the investigations into violence against civilians in the North-East.

President Rajapaksa told Bishops Rev. Thomas Saundranayagam (Jaffna) and Rev. Rayappu Joseph (Mannar) that the public could direct such complaints and information to the Peace Secretariat if problems are encountered in giving the same to the Police or the Security Forces.

The Bishops stressed the importance of ensuring ethnic harmony and peace in their areas. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Plan Implementation Secretary Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Peace Secretariat Chief Dr. Palitha Kohona, Chief of Defence Staff Daya Sandagiri and Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda were also present.