The Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Jaffna has issued a public appeal calling for clarification, truth, justice, and reconciliation in response to recent statements concerning the Tamil national question, the memory of Mullivaikkal as the culmination of structural genocide, and the suffering of Tamil civilians during Sri Lanka’s civil conflict.
Issued on May 31, the statement said the appeal was made with pastoral concern and with the hope that the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka would continue to serve as an instrument of truth, justice, healing, and reconciliation.
The Commission appreciated remarks made by Rev. Fr. Jeevantha Peiris on Mullivaikkal and the suffering of Tamil people, describing them as a courageous acknowledgment of victims’ experiences, particularly welcomed by communities in the North and East.
However, it expressed concern over comments attributed to Rev. Fr. Jude Chrishantha, reportedly describing the conflict as a “war against terrorism,” stating that such a view does not adequately reflect the historical context or the experiences of affected civilians. It also pointed to what it called inconsistencies in Church responses, noting that Fr. Jeevantha’s remarks were clarified as personal opinions, while no similar clarification was issued for Fr. Chrishantha.
The Commission called on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka to clarify its official position on the conflict and the remembrance of Mullivaikkal, arguing that the war cannot be understood solely through counter-terrorism narratives given decades of discrimination, displacement, and anti-Tamil violence.
Reaffirming the North-East Bishops’ Council’s 2022 statement, it said May 18 is observed as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, describing the events culminating in 2009 as part of a genocidal process, with continuing impacts including militarization, land issues, enforced disappearances, and demands for accountability.
The appeal also recalled the killing and disappearance of clergy, attacks on churches, and civilian casualties during the final phase of the war. It paid tribute to the late Bishop Rayappu Joseph, describing him as a prophetic voice who highlighted the plight of Tamil civilians internationally.
Citing Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to Sri Lanka, the Commission stressed that truth is essential for justice, healing, and reconciliation. It urged the Bishops’ Conference to clarify its position, support victims’ right to remembrance, and promote truth-telling grounded in justice.
