“Innocent civilians are paying a huge cost and are the worst hit. Already there are more than 130,000 who have crossed over to the [Vavuniya] government controlled side. These people are coming out in highly traumatized conditions. Most of them are tired and worn out after months of suffering. Many of them are injured and some of them are very severely wounded. The hospitals have totally exceeded their capacity to receive the wounded.”
Father T.R. Vasanthaseelan, local director of Caritas in Vanni, was severely injured in the legs when St. Anthony’s Church in Valaignarmadam was shelled on the morning of April 23. One of his legs required amputation.
Tens of thousands had sought safety at the church. The priest had been in Vanni to provide humanitarian assistance and to move with refugees.
Further, Caritas has received the news that Rev. Fr. James Pathinathan, a member of National Commission for Justice, Peace and Human Development was also injured and brought to the hospital in Anuradhapura the day before.
Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Lesley-Anne Knight responded to their being injured, saying the organization’s thoughts and prayers were with the priests and the people of Vanni.
“Fr. Vasanthaseelan is a much loved figure in Sri Lanka and throughout the Caritas confederation. He is a man of peace, courage and hope. He has lived among the people he seeks to serve and accompanied them through their suffering. He has been a sign of love and faithfulness throughout such difficult times.”
“That aid workers are suffering only underlines how innocent people, women and children are being killed and injured in Sri Lanka’s civil war and reinforces our calls for an immediate ceasefire,” she said, reiterating combatants’ obligations to protect civilians and allow humanitarian access under the Geneva Conventions.