Priest from Jesuit Refugee Service killed in Sri Lankan blast

Published: 2007-09-28

KILINOCHCHI, Sri Lanka (CNS) -- Father Nicholas Pillai Pakiaranjith, 40, was killed in a blast from a claymore mine while he was driving food and supplies to displaced people near Kilinochchi, in an area under the control of Tamil rebels. Father Pakiaranjith coordinated the work of Jesuit Refugee Service in Sri Lanka's Mannar district, where control is divided between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam. The priest died Sept. 26; his funeral was scheduled for Sept. 29. One of the priest's assistants also was injured in the blast. "We call upon the international community and all men and women of good will to condemn this killing and effectively voice their strong condemnation of the ongoing senseless war," Bishop Rayappu Joseph of Mannar said in press release. The bishop praised Father Pakiaranjith's deep commitment to the poor and marginalized. "It is a heinous crime to attack and kill such peace-loving and unarmed heroes of our society," the bishop said. "Enough blood has flowed on this little island nation. This blood cries for peace and not for vengeance."

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