Father, For they know what they are doing!

TAMIL NATIONAL FORUM

Selected Writings - Fr. Chandiravarman Sinnathurai

Father, For they know what they are doing!

23 April 2008

[see also International Federation of Tamils condemns Targeted Killing of Rev. M.X.Karunaratnam as a War Crime

"The targeted killing of Rev. Father Karunaratnam by Sri Lanka is a war crime. It is the latest in a series of targeted assassinations by Sri Lanka which include the killing of Tamil Parliamentarians such as Joseph Pararajasingham, Chandra Nehru, Raviraj, and K.Sivanesan. The assassinations reveal system, method and planning. And the absolute impunity afforded to the perpetrators proves the culpability of those in the highest echelons of power in the Sri Lankan state for the crimes committed by those under their command."

and Sri Lanka Army Assassinates Father M.X.Karunaratnam, Chairman of NorthEast Secretariat on Human Rights (NESoHR)]

Rev.Father Karunaratnam This piece is not an eulogy for Fr. Karunaratnam, the Chairman of North East Secretariat on Human Rights. It is reported that he was assassinated on Sunday 20 April 2008, by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces�, Deep Penetrating Unit�s Claymore Mine.

Fr. Karunaratnam is silenced.

This piece is not an eloquent exposition of the war crimes committed by the Sinhala state against the Tamil nation.

Fr Karunaratnam�s mortal remains is a living testimony to the brutal truth of oppression.

This piece is not a symbolic gesture of bowing your head in respect to the departed soul.

Fr. Karunaratanam�s life and witness is an annoyance to the oppressors of the world.

This piece is not a political statement or a manifesto of the oppressed.

Fr. Karunaratnam has joined the cloud of witnesses. Innocent blood is shed daily. And the whole world watches nonchalantly, as the voices of the martyrs are heard in deadly silence.

This piece is not a terrorist tract. Or not even a condemnation of the act.

Fr Karunaratnam has reminded us yet again that the struggle for human rights calls for the ultimate cost.

And he has paid it in full with his blood.

Father, for they know what they are doing. Amen.