Bishop of Mannar, Most Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph said he never stood for the separation of the country nor rejected any viable political solution to the national question. The Bishop made this statement in response to the lead story published in The Nation last week titled “Mannar Bishop, TNA Resurrect LTTE’s ISGA Demand”.Following is the full text of his response.My attention has been drawn to the news headline captioned “Mannar Bishop, TNA Resurrect LTTE’s ISGA Demand” on the front page of “The Nation” of Sunday 14th April 2013, Your report states that the Bishop of Mannar, along with a group op of Tamil MPs and civil society representatives, has urged the visiting Indian Parliamentarians to press the Sri Lankan Government towards establishing a self governing mechanism for Tamils in the .North and East. Your report also claims that this group told the Indian visitors that they reject any solution that is based on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution or one that went beyond it.

Mannar Bishop denies ‘separation’ seeks ‘viable political solution’

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Bishop of Mannar, Most Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph said he never stood for the separation of the country nor rejected any viable political solution to the national question. The Bishop made this statement in response to the lead story published in The Nation last week titled “Mannar Bishop, TNA Resurrect LTTE’s ISGA Demand”.
Following is the full text of his response.
My attention has been drawn to the news headline captioned “Mannar Bishop, TNA Resurrect LTTE’s ISGA Demand” on the front page of “The Nation” of Sunday 14th April 2013, Your report states that the Bishop of Mannar, along with a group op of Tamil MPs and civil society representatives, has urged the visiting Indian Parliamentarians to press the Sri Lankan Government towards establishing a self governing mechanism for Tamils in the .North and East. Your report also claims that this group told the Indian visitors that they reject any solution that is based on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution or one that went beyond it.

Further, your report is accompanied by a separate story, also on the front page, titled “Perceptions or Bishop Rayappu Joseph”, in which views purportedly expressed many years ago about Bishop Rayappu Joseph by certain selected persons have been reproduced.

In this context, I have neither stood for the separation of the country nor at any time rejected any viable political solution to the national question. Therefore, your report is totally Inaccurate and misleading. 
Secondly, your portrayal of the so-called “perceptions of Bishop Rayappu Joseph” speaks of an unmistakable bias and has to be construed as having a mischievous intent. Clearly also, it is an attempt to bring me into disrepute and tarnish my image.

I wish to reiterate that as a Catholic Church leader who has always had the welfare of my people at heart, I never hesitated to voice for their rights and well-being. This is clearly borne out by my submissions to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission which I would urge you to study in detail.

Finally, since you have chosen to give front-page publicity to the reports in question. I would ask to give equal prominence also to my response.  

Most Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph
Bishop of Mannar

Run up to the Northern Provincial Elections - 2

Self-censorship & Restrictions on media, the serious issuesFree flow of information must insure before the Election

Campaign for Free and fair Elections (CaFFE) expresses its grave concern over the media culture of self censorship developing in the North due to continuous attacks. This self censorship, especially in regarding human rights, rule of law and democracy, in the run up to the Northern Provincial Council Election is unacceptable.

CaFFE along with many civil society organizations had expressed dismay at the attacks/ attempts to intimidate journalists and newspaper distributors Uthayan, Yaal Thinakural, and Weerakesari in recent times. In the face of growing suppression media ownership has also begun to pressurize journalists to avoid writing on certain issues. “Walampuri” the other independent Tamail daily had soften its content on sensitive issues during last 10 - 12 months. CaFFE’s claims can be verified by any individual who does a content analysis of the above-mentioned newspapers. However “Thanamurasu,” the pro EPDP daily, seems to be the only paper that has been spared of any intimidation.

This limitation of information has been further augmented by BBC world service terminating its contract with Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) due to the manipulation and censorship of its Tamil service. BBC Tamil service was the preferred source of information by moderate community leaders in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mulativu, Mannaher and Vavuniya who wanted access to balanced information.

This is not the only time that SLBC ran into problems with the BBC. In 2009 BBC suspended its agreement with SLBC due to its selective censoring of radio programming. However once again in 2013 SLBC interfered with the BBC Tamil service programs on 16-18 March. Further disruption occurred on March 25, despite the objections by the BBC, which made the BBC to suspend the service immediate effect.

In addition most of the popular Tamil news web sites, most of them were critical to the Government has been blocked in Sri Lanka through service providers.

These restrictions on media is taking place on the run up to the Northern Provincial Elections which is due by next September. The free flow of information is highly restricted through out the Province.

It must be noted that the freedom of association and political freedom is also restricted in North. The Military and other officials are continuously harassing university students.

CaFFE Executive Director, Keerthi Tennakoon calls the government to ensure the free flow of information leading to the Northern Provincial Council, which is a vital component of a free and fair election.

Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon April 22nd, 2013
Executive Director/CaFFE