Evangelical Head Urges Prayers as 15 Relief Workers Murdered in Sri Lanka Civil War

The International Director of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), Geoff Tunnicliffe has appealed to the Christian community not to forget Sri Lanka in their prayers, as the violent war rages in the backdrop of the worldwide media spotlight being given to Lebanon and the Middle East.

|PIC1|Sri Lankan rebels said on Sunday that the government's shelling of rebel territory amounts to a declaration of war, but they have not yet decided whether or not to retaliate.

The statement from the head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political wing came as 15 local aid workers involved in post-tsunami relief work were found executed at an office in the town of Mutur. It is not yet known who is responsible.

After days of rumours, 15 local aid workers helping with relief after the 2004 tsunami were found executed in Mutur, a town devastated by fighting and artillery fire south of the port of Trincomalee.

Well over 800 people had been killed so far this year even before recent fighting in which the military say they killed over 100 rebels and in which dozens of civilians are also said to be dead.

The Tigers said another 15 civilians were also killed in government shelling of rebel areas in the north-east on Sunday.

In an open letter, WEA head, Tunnicliffe shared the situation in Sri Lanka according to Godfrey Yogarajah, General Secretary of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL).

Yogaraiah said:

|TOP|”The war has started once more in Sri Lanka. There is heavy fighting going on. Every day civilians are caught in the crossfire and are dying in great numbers. Thousands of civilians are displaced. Our (NCEASL) staff is working night and day to send supplies, relief aid and medicines to the war affected areas.

“Today is Saturday and we are all in office working to get 1000 relief packs ready by evening to be sent to the east of Sri Lanka. Two churches and several schools where people were taking refuge got caught in the shelling and were badly damaged resulting in considerable loss to life and property.

“Hundreds are injured needing medical assistance but can't get out of the conflict zone. An ambulance got caught in the crossfire and all in it perished. Aerial bombings of these areas too are taking place. The most affected are the women and children. Many are being conscripted forcibly to fight, including children.

|AD|“Please pray for the situation. Very little news is coming out of Sri Lanka even though BBC carried a few stories including Kofi Annan’s statement calling for a cessation to hostilities.

"Much of the news coverage is focused on the events in Lebanon and Israel while the Sri Lankan war is not getting much publicity. Consequently, the world is ignorant to the suffering of the people here. We will do my best to keep you informed. Thanks for your prayers.”

Tunnicliffe added: “Please pray for this country and for the Christians who risk their lives to reach and care for those caught in this civil conflict.

"While the world’s attention is fixed on the equally tragic events in the Mideast, little media coverage is given to the Sri Lankan civil war that is taking scores of innocent lives and displacing thousands of people in the island country.”

“Let us remember the people of Sri Lanka and lift up our brothers and sisters in prayer; may there be a swift and peaceful end to the fighting and bloodshed.”