Christian leaders tell government and Tigers to stop violence and resume talks
Catholics and Protestants make joint plea for an end to reciprocal attacks and a return to the negotiating table.
Colombo (AsiaNews/UCAN) Sri Lanka's Catholic and Protestant leaders have urged the government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to put a stop to increasing violence and return to the negotiating table.
In a joint statement, the Catholic Bishops' Conference in Sri Lanka and the National Christian Council a body of mainstream Protestant churches said: "We strongly appeal to LTTE that is suspected of having committed the latest crime [a bomb in Colombo on 25 April] to desist from all acts of violence and create an atmosphere conducive for a negotiated settlement."
The statement, issued on 27 April, came two days after a suicide bomb attack targeted the army headquarters in Colombo. Eight people were killed and 27 injured in the blast.
"We appeal to the armed forces not to engage in violent activities. Human life is always precious and should not be considered expendable for any motive," continued the Christian leaders.
They said they were "deeply disturbed by the escalation of violence especially in the north and the east". After the attack on 25 April, the army responded by launching air raids against Tamil bases in Trincomalee in the north-east coast.
The Christian community representatives ended their statement with a prayer: "Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God. We pray that the Risen Lord who conquered death and restored life may awaken us to pray and work for peace and harmony in this critical time in the history of our land".
On 23 February, the first round of peace talks between the rebels and the government was held in Geneva. A second round of talks was slated for 19 to 21 April but was postponed to the 24 and 25 of the same. However, on 16 April, the LTTE announced its withdrawal from the talks, locking the peace process in an impasse.
The LTTE has been fighting for an independent Tamil state in the north-east of the country since 1983. On 22 February 2002, the government and Tigers signed a fragile ceasefire, often violated by both sides. The conflict has killed more than 80,000 people.
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