Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) - Experts on international affairs and non-governmental organizations have issued a notice on the deterioration of the social situation in Sri Lanka, where the civil conflict is having a negative impact on all levels: political, social, and economic. This is a cause for concern, especially due to the increase in violence and the number of internal refugees that, according to recent estimates, have reached 500,000.
The situation has reached a breaking point, both in terms of government aid and the support offered by international institutions and non-governmental organizations. It simply is no longer sufficient.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has launched an appeal to raise the 19 million dollars necessary for meeting basic needs for the refugees in the country, who were living in areas of conflict and have left their houses. Over 300,000 people have been living as refugees for over 20 years, while 190,000 have needed aid since April 2006, when the fighting returned.
The human rights crisis has reached its peak, non-governmental organizations’ sources say, especially among the ethnic and religious minorities. In 2007, over 3,500 civilians were killed in a conflict that troubled the nation, and yet no end is in sight, say NGOs such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Asian Human Rights Commission, in critique of governmental action and calling for renewed commitment to guaranteeing protection of civilians.
The Christians of Sri Lanka have also seen an increase in anti-Christian violence in recent months, and express their concern for the future of this country in which conflict, tension, and violence have become a part of daily life. There have recently been recorded attacks on buildings of the Christian community, in addition to the threats, assaults, and maltreatment that some Christians have received.
A group of Christian students of Lunuwila were detained and later beaten, while in another district, a Protestant Pastor was forced to leave the area following death threats. As well, in some cases, previously obtained authorizations for building Churches were suddenly revoked, without any given reason. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 6/3/2008; righe 29, parole 339)
