Hilary Rajakarunanayake, Editor – Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune
Colombo, 13 May, (Asiantribune.com): "We pledge our complete support to the Sri Lanka Government in providing relief to the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have escaped from LTTE held territory and come to Government controlled areas in the Vanni".
This statement was issued by a delegation from Caritas, Sri Lanka-Sedec led by the Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Colombo, after a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, at Temple Trees, on May 11.
The Bishops thanked the government for speedy action taken for the welfare of the IDPs who had come in such large numbers, in a very short time.
Among the delegation present were the Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa Rev. Dr. Kingsley Swamipillai, the Bishop of Ratnapura Rev. Cletus C Perera, the Bishop of Galle & Chairman CSL-SEDEC Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera and National Director CSL-CEDEC Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando.
The Bishops further stated that among the areas of assistance they could provide would be psycho-social relief, counseling, aspects of child care and the supply of food and other essentials.
The delegation informed the President that they would be able to use the tremendous experience gathered in Tsunami relief work to deal with the current situation.
President Rajapaksa thanked the Bishops for their cooperation and said he looked forward to continuing a fruitful dialogue and association with them in the future.
Caritas International is the social service arm of the Holy See in the Vatican.
Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, MP and Senior Advisor to the President, Christian and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Milroy Fernando and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera and the Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga participated in this discussion.
- Asian Tribune -
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