Comments on: Christmas 2008 in Sri Lanka

By: Hetti

Hetti — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 09:15:29 +0000

Catholic church is active in Sri Lanka. It is not silent. The Laity in the church are silent. They think that the whole Church is only the Bishops. We must not politicize the Catholic doctrine. The Church is always on the side of the poor. On the whole , the Church in the South is suffering under the dictatorial regime of the SINHALA BUDDHIST. UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION. For mere sentimental feelings for a moment, The Church cannot betray the Catholics in the South.

By: T.Douglas

T.Douglas — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:26:45 +0000

It is very sad to note that the Catholic Bishops are silent in the attack of the Cathlic church and convent in paranthan.

By: T. Douglas

T. Douglas — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:51:00 +0000

Sri lankan airforce bombard and destroyed the cathlic church in paranthan on christmas day. Sri lankan airforce bombarded innocent civilians houses in paranthan and chased the population to the jungles and occupied paranthan on new year day. Congratulations on your cowerdice victory. [Editors note: Please substantiate your point about the Catholic Church being destroyed in Paranthan on Christmas Day. There are no media reports I have read on this and as the BBC noted yesterday, "There have been no independent reports of the latest fighting from the frontlines and it is impossible to verify either account of casualties."]

By: T.Douglas

T.Douglas — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:16:18 +0000

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed a convent named Holy Cross Convent, located on Paranthan Mullaiththevu Road, 600 meters away from Paranthan junction Tuesday night around 10:30 p.m., a day before Christmas. TamilNet correspondent who visited the site Wednesday morning witnessed that the attacked premises was marked with Red Cross on the roof. The nearby church also sustained damage. The SLAF deployed cluster munitions in the bombardment, residents who fled the site said. 85 cows of a herd a few meters away from the convent were killed in the attack.
Dear Editor: I am forwarding for your Information and to the readers

By: Chandani

Chandani — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:47:56 +0000

While I agree that the plight of the civilians caught up in the war is pathetic the writer has conveniantly forgotten the fact that hundreds of soldiers are laying down their lives because of this cruel war. They have not chosen to fight. Instead this war has been thrust upon them. It is the thirst for blood of the LTTE leadership that has put the Tamil people of the north in this plight. Every soldier wants to go home for the holiday season and spend it with his family just like the writer did this christmas. But for himthe call of duty towards his motherland is greater.

By: Sam Thambipillai

Sam Thambipillai — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:20:17 +0000

On 24 December 2005, Joseph Pararajasingham, a TNA lawmaker was brutally gunned down, by the armed forces of the Sri Lankan state, inside Saint Mary's cathedral at Batticaloa, while he was attending a midnight christmas eve mass.

When Mahinda Rajapakse went recently to the vatican to receive papal blessings, the vatican failed to ask him as to why the cold blooded murder was permitted inside the church, located within the military controlled high security area, and as to why the offenders have not been brought to justice upto now.

Therefore, this Christmas season witnessed murder by cluster bombing of a convent at Mullaitivu, where the statue of Mary was shattered and remained with a broken head helplessly hanging upside down.

But Christ continues to live. So, Have a great year 2009 with Him.

By: Sinthaamani

Sinthaamani — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:27:45 +0000

Isn't there a way to stop those nasty machines from raining bombs on the frightened citizens, children below? Beautifully written…

By: Subodha

Subodha — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:04:35 +0000

Wish you all a merry X'mass and a happy mew year. If we are to celebrate X'mass or what ever the event in a day there are no gun shots and no murders then we are not realistic to look in to this issue. Even in the days of Jesus, Lord Buddha or Muhammad, there were all these sins occurring some part of the country , some part of the world. There are particular reasons which are realistic for these. As intelligent people we have to find out the solutions for these problems while living in the same society and taking some part of responsibility for whats going on around us. We just cant point our finger to any one and wipe our hands off. So…. guys and girls, please celebrate the X'mass the New year having in mind that there are these unpleasant things happening around and we give our best effort to minimize those as much as possible.
thank you

By: punitham

punitham — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:27:40 +0000

Ruki
Thanks and Best Wishes for the New Year.

By: Bishan Rajapakse

Bishan Rajapakse — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:05:29 +0000

Dear Ruki, thanks for your article, and "factcheck" thank you for presenting another view, one that shows that concern for the suffering is there in a mainstream audience in Sri Lanka if one looks to the people and religious leaders. I believe what Ruki has written is just one perspective.

Many other perspectives are also present and I would like to see them shared in all their diversity, only then we will really understand the feeling and sentiments on the ground here in Sri Lanka this Christmas. I tried to submit my response last night but it did not go through, so I will try again now.

…..or you can read it on my blog
http://peaceandunity-bishan.blogspot.com/)

Best wishes
Bishan

By: factcheck

factcheck — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:56:15 +0000

The observation of Ruki is not without exceptions. The Christmas message of Rev. Duleep de Chikera (Bishop of Colombo), published by transcurrents, gives an indication that is very different to what Ruki has observed. The message can be found here:

http://transcurrents.com/tc/2008/12/post_191.html…

By: TamilCanadian

TamilCanadian — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 09:17:09 +0000

Thank you Ruki for sharing your thoughts on Christmas in Sri Lanka. It's a pity that at least for the call of ceasefire, not all the Catholic Bishops could be united. On the brighter side, people like you really inspire hope for all the people in the Island nation.

By: Hilton

Hilton — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 08:48:42 +0000

The picture of the situation posted by this journalist is not the one most people in Sri Lanka are aware of. There are people in Australia too who are totally unaware of the situation there and are shocked to learn about the disappearances etc. So far as they are concerned, the situation is not too bad at all.

By: Visaka Dharmadasa

Visaka Dharmadasa — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:13:39 +0000

I totally agree with Ruki, what christmas ?, for the family in the Vanni and also the family of the soldier in south, when are we going to understand this how many lives we have to lose ??? what are we achieving, Peace in what sence, do we have peace in Colombo or Kandy for that matter, can we move freely?, Waht about he permanat disabled ? where are we heading ?? I remember Our Lady of madhu church, Chrismas mass, when can all peoples in this country can be happy, a day with out gun shots a Christmas with only crackers not gun shots, I truly want to pray for all gods to really bless this country and stop its bleeing.

Visaka Dharmadasa