Normalcy is impossible until abducted students have been released, a delegation of dignitaries told the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Commander in Jaffna.
"The immediate release of the abducted students is the only way to bring Jaffna peninsula educational activities back to normalcy," Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas Savundaranayagam told had said in a special meeting last Wednesday, TamilNet reported.
However, when TamilNet reported the story, the bishop wrote to the Army Commander, denying he had spoken to TamilNet.
“I am writing to you regarding the news item that appeared in the “Tamil Net” on 17th May 2007,” the Bishop wrote.
“The entire news item is said to have been given by the Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam. After my return from Palaly I had not spoken to any news media. Hence I deny totally the report ascribed to me by the “Tamil Net”,” he said.
TamilNet, while standing by the story, amended the headline to remove any suggestion that the details of the meeting were conveyed to the agency by the Bishop himself.
“At the press meet, attended by several reporters, Bishop remained silent, and only the other participants to the meeting with the Commander talked to the reporters,” TamilNet corrected.
“TamilNet story was pieced together from two of these attendees and sources close to the Bishop,” the agency said.
The meeting between the Peoples Committee for Peace and Goodwill (PCPG) and SLA Jaffna Commander Maj. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri inside the Palaali High Security Zone (HSZ) had lasted for more than two hours.
Former Jaffna University Vice-chancellor Prof. P. Balasundarampillai and Mr. S. Paramanathan, representative of the Federation of Public Organizations participated in the meeting the meeting with the SLA Jaffna Commander.
The discussions focussed on the aggravating situation in Jaffna peninsula caused by the abduction of four high school students and the death notices issued to Jaffna University staff, students and some principals of schools allegedly by SLA troopers.
"The educational activities of Jaffna University, resumed after much effort, face the risk of stalling completely due to the death threats made to the University community and unless immediate action is taken matters will worsen," the Rev. Bishop allegedly told the SLA Commander.
The attendees also explored ways to remedy the situation.
TamilNet also noted that it understood why the Bishop felt compelled to write his letter.
“TamilNet wishes to point out that residents in Jaffna district are living in an open prison where abductions, torture and killing have become rampant, and the counter insurgency campaign by the SLA has reached a stage where no private citizen's life is safe,” the agency wrote.
“In this climate of fear, TamilNet understands the reasons for the letter from Bishop who would be under tremendous pressure not to criticize the military.”
"The immediate release of the abducted students is the only way to bring Jaffna peninsula educational activities back to normalcy," Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas Savundaranayagam told had said in a special meeting last Wednesday, TamilNet reported.
However, when TamilNet reported the story, the bishop wrote to the Army Commander, denying he had spoken to TamilNet.
“I am writing to you regarding the news item that appeared in the “Tamil Net” on 17th May 2007,” the Bishop wrote.
“The entire news item is said to have been given by the Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam. After my return from Palaly I had not spoken to any news media. Hence I deny totally the report ascribed to me by the “Tamil Net”,” he said.
TamilNet, while standing by the story, amended the headline to remove any suggestion that the details of the meeting were conveyed to the agency by the Bishop himself.
“At the press meet, attended by several reporters, Bishop remained silent, and only the other participants to the meeting with the Commander talked to the reporters,” TamilNet corrected.
“TamilNet story was pieced together from two of these attendees and sources close to the Bishop,” the agency said.
The meeting between the Peoples Committee for Peace and Goodwill (PCPG) and SLA Jaffna Commander Maj. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri inside the Palaali High Security Zone (HSZ) had lasted for more than two hours.
Former Jaffna University Vice-chancellor Prof. P. Balasundarampillai and Mr. S. Paramanathan, representative of the Federation of Public Organizations participated in the meeting the meeting with the SLA Jaffna Commander.
The discussions focussed on the aggravating situation in Jaffna peninsula caused by the abduction of four high school students and the death notices issued to Jaffna University staff, students and some principals of schools allegedly by SLA troopers.
"The educational activities of Jaffna University, resumed after much effort, face the risk of stalling completely due to the death threats made to the University community and unless immediate action is taken matters will worsen," the Rev. Bishop allegedly told the SLA Commander.
The attendees also explored ways to remedy the situation.
TamilNet also noted that it understood why the Bishop felt compelled to write his letter.
“TamilNet wishes to point out that residents in Jaffna district are living in an open prison where abductions, torture and killing have become rampant, and the counter insurgency campaign by the SLA has reached a stage where no private citizen's life is safe,” the agency wrote.
“In this climate of fear, TamilNet understands the reasons for the letter from Bishop who would be under tremendous pressure not to criticize the military.”
