Sri Lanka; Asia; Eurasia: Tamil Tigers shoot nuns, and civilians- nuns escaping war Zone

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters (British; Independent; Secular) 12 / 02 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Reuters has reported harrowing stories about the Sri Lankan War: whereby LTTE Rebels ("Tamil Tigers"): have been accused of shooting at civilians who have attempted to flee the war zone. Those shot include nuns.

The Tigers have been careful to attempt good relations with the Church: releasing ten Catholic Orphanage children which were kidnapped to be child soldiers last year. A nun, who had been moving 2 000 civilians from village to village: was told that she could leave: as long as only religious (nuns) left with her. The nuns in this case: stayed with the civilians. This nun, and five others escaped with the aid of the so-called "Red Cross" humanitarian and aid relief grouping.

The Catholic church, and other global voices have called both sides to insure the safety of civilians. Sri Lanka's army claims it is doing such: although a civilian building was earlier hit by artillery.

The Tamil Tigers have ignored repeated requests to let civilians out of the war zone. The group could well believe that having to avoid civilians, may prevent the government from immediately destroying the Tigers. The Tigers are listed as terrorists on several international lists: and the Catholic church has repeatedly in the past worried about civilians who have been in their vicinity.

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.

Sri Lanka: Tigers pushed further back; take town's population hostage

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters 04/01/2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Tamil Tigers, have again been pushed back, after a recent attack, which took their capital, including their "Banking sector"; government troops: have taken another important area. The town, recently taken: had almost no non-combatants: as these are suspected to have been taken by the terrorist grouping: in order to be human shields. The Tigers broke a peace treaty recently, giving the Sri Lankan government the political support: to actually pursue the annihilation of the rebels:

Previous conflict had aimed at gaining a foothold to get the Tigers to the negotiating table, but recent assaults by the Government of Sri Lanka: since the Tigers broke a peace treaty: have resulted in forcing withdrawal after withdrawal by the Tigers: who recently were reported as kidnapping 16 boys from a Catholic Orphanage: by gunpoint: in order to serve some purpose for their war effort.

The Tigers, have not recently made any official commentary, on the situation apparent, since their defeats.

It is expected by many: that this recent outbreak of war: will finally wipe out the decades long Tiger rebellion.

Sri Lanka: Tamil Tigers kidnap 16 Catholic Orphans: to force them into slavery as Tamil Fighters: say civilians who make it away: church yet to verify

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. News 24 (Secular) 28/12/2008; c.f. Previous: South African Catholic 11/16/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

News 24 reports: that according to witnesses: having escaped: that the Tamil Tigers: have kidnapped 16 Catholic Children over the age of 12 in a Sri Lankan Catholic Orphanage. They were kidnapped, to be "enlisted" in Tamil ranks. The Catholic church in the area has not verified the attack, as communication with the orphanage is cut off. The reports of those claiming to witness an attack: say that two priests were held at gunpoint, as the kidnapping occurred, and the children clinged hopelessly to the priests, as they were forced away.

Recently, the Tamil Tigers, have been pushed out of historically controlled territory, by the Sri Lankan Army. The Catholic church condemns both terrorism, and hostage taking as always evil.

Asia- Sri Lanka- Government takes key Tamil Rebel Position by force

(Social Justice South Africa ; c.f. Reuters (Secular) 15/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Reuters is reporting that the Sri Lanka army has taken the key rebel stronghold of Pooneryn. The stronghold has held out for over a decade, as the army finally advances further against the rebels. There seems to be no clear stance of the Catholic church on the Tigers- terrorism is openly condemned, and Catholic Archbishop Oswald Gomis, earlier- in February this year told of fears (reported by Vatican Radio 25/02/2008) of the "Tigers" targeting tourists. Other than this, sources of views we have read from the church, or news sources reporting with or on her seem neutral on the issue- simply reporting news.