Sri Lanka; Asia: Catholic Bishop calls Army to protect civilians: while fighting tigers: after collateral damage inflicted

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f UCAN NEWS (Asian; Independent; Catholic) 08 / Jan / 2009 )

Article by Marc Aupiais

As the Sri lankan army advances against the Tamil Tiger (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)) separatists, in Sri Lanka: the Catholic Bishop in the area: has called on the Sri Lankan army to avoid civilian casualties. Several have already been casualty to aerial bombing, which the bishop has called the Army to hault when dealing with highly populated areas; or more directly: he has said to save civilians from mortar, and aerial bombardment: possibly allowing for strategic strikes: although he does not mention these.

The Bishop of Jaffna, has said that he believes the army has hit civilian targets with aerial bombings, and is calling for them to save civilians from Mortar, and aerial bombardment.

The Sri Lankan army will now need to pursue the rebels in a highly populated area, if they desire immediate victory. Much like the situation in the Gaza Strip, this one demands caution on the part of a largely: morally/doctrinally speaking, somewhat: justified army: so as not to take unjustified actions, or do possibly immoral damage to innocent bystanders.

The Bishop's: Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam's appeal to: President Mahinda Rajapaksa; of Sri lanka: does not seem to be a request that they do not pursue the Tigers, but that they be cautious about how they go about routing them out: so as to minimize civilian: non-combatant: losses.