President asks clergy to return
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday requested members of the clergy
in the conflict ares in the North to return to Government controlled
areas along with the trapped civilians as the Government has taken all
measures to cater to their welfare.
The President made this appeal when the Papal Pro Nuncio in Sri Lanka
Monsignor Mario Zenari called on him at Temple Trees yesterday.
The President who requested Monsignor Mario Zenari to convey this
message to members of the clergy in the conflict areas said that if they
heeded this request and returned to the Government controlled areas it
would greatly help the Government to succeed in its efforts to liberate
the people in the North from the clutches of terrorism.
The President said the Tiger terrorists who are in a frenzy might
make use of any civilian they could come across as a human shield.
Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga was also present at this
meeting.
According to informed sources, the priests and nuns belonging to four
districts - Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi are still with
the displaced people.
Sources confirmed that the LTTE had set up their artillery and mortar
guns pointing at state declared safe zones and are attacking the
military.
As the last alternative the civilians are now moving towards
Memathalan passing Puthukkudirippu.
According to sources, there are six priests and 10 nuns from Mannar
and Vavuniya dioceses and 23 priests and 15 nuns from Mullaitivu and
Kilinochchi dioceses stranded.
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