Bishop condoles

Trincomalee: Bishop of Trincomalee - Batticaloa Rt. Rev. Dr. J. Kingsley Swampillai in a condolence message on the death of NGO workers said:

The message: "We note with sadness the disturbing news of the murder of seventeen workers, including a Swedish lady of a reputed Paris based organization known as "Action Contre Faim" (Action Against Hunger), who were engaged in Relief and Rehabilitation work in Muthur, which experienced a weeklong battle.

"More disturbing is the fact that the above crime was committed after the battle was brought to an end.

"As an INGO, ACF has done a yeoman service in Sri Lanka, especially in the post-tsunami period. This is what the young men were engaged in until they became trapped in the horrible war, which brought about enormous disaster and desolation.

"We wish to express our sympathies to those in charge of ACF, and to share our grief with their family members, who have not only lost their loved ones, but also their earnings.

We would appeal to the Government that adequate compensation be given to the families and ensure the protection of NGOs who have dedicated themselves to humanitarian service and thus extending a supporting arm to the Government".