During the recent May 18 Mullivaikkal remembrance event, Father Jeevantha Peiris stated that genocide took place during the final phase of Sri Lanka’s civil war. His remarks sparked strong reactions across religious and political circles in the country.The Director of the Catholic National Media Centre said that both the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka and the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka strongly rejected those statements.
Statement Rejected by Catholic Bishops.
Jeevantha Peiris expressed only his personal opinion and did not represent the official position of the Catholic Church.
He further explained that the Church does not endorse claims made without proper institutional approval. The statement also aimed to prevent misunderstandings among the public regarding the Church’s stance on sensitive national matters linked to the war.
Questions Arise Over Letter Sent to Vatican in 2009
Meanwhile, reports revealed that a letter from Mullivaikkal reached the Vatican on May 10, 2009, during the final days of the war. Discussions surrounding the contents of that letter have once again drawn public attention after the recent controversy.
Several groups and analysts now continue to examine the historical and political background connected to the claims raised during the remembrance event. The issue has also generated renewed debate about wartime events, accountability, and the role played by religious leaders during that period.
The program “Beyond the News” currently explores these developments in greater detail while reviewing the statements, historical records, and reactions connected to the controversy.
