The Tamil Lawyers’ Forum has called on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka to reconsider its position on allegations that genocide was perpetrated against the Tamil people during the final phase of the armed conflict.
In a recent statement, the Forum argued that describing the conflict solely as a “war against terrorism” overlooks historical realities and the lived experiences of Tamils. It cited events such as the Sinhala Only Act, anti-Tamil pogroms, the burning of the Jaffna Public Library, Black July 1983, and long-standing discrimination as contributing factors to the conflict.
The Forum also noted that the United Nations has repeatedly raised concerns over alleged human rights violations, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed during the final stages of the war in 2009. Referring to the late Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, it said credible answers are still lacking regarding approximately 146,000 Tamil civilians reported missing, and highlighted that the North-East Bishops’ Council declared May 18 as a “Day of Tamil Genocide Remembrance” in 2022.
Expressing support for the Justice and Peace Commission and the clergy of the Diocese of Jaffna, the Forum stressed that reconciliation must be based on truth, justice, accountability, and mutual understanding. It urged the Catholic Bishops’ Conference to adopt a more balanced and inclusive approach that acknowledges the suffering and grievances of the Tamil people while promoting genuine dialogue and lasting peace.
