Sri Lankan church leaders express concern over worsening violence

Published: 2007-11-29

NEW DELHI (CNS) -- Sri Lankan church leaders expressed concern over the worsening conflict in the country after at least 21 people were killed and dozens were injured in two bomb blasts. "The situation is becoming fearful and worrisome for the people," said Father Leopold Ratnasekara, assistant secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka. "These (blasts) have created a lot of fear among the people," Father Ratnasekara told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview Nov. 29. A woman suicide bomber, allegedly from the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, set off a bomb Nov. 28 in a supermarket in the capital, Colombo. The blast killed at least 16 and injured three dozen. Earlier in the day, a suicide bomber at the office of the Ministry of Social Services in Colombo killed several people. "The hardship of the people in the war zone is unbearable, but only a few dare to speak out against the war," said Father Ratnasekara. "Anyone who speaks against the war is branded a traitor, and this makes most keep quiet," added Father Ratnasekara. The National Peace Council, of which the Catholic Church is a member, said in a statement Nov. 29 the blasts appear to be "part of a larger pattern in which civilians are being made victims of the escalating conflict."

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