28 May 2021 10:25 pm
Catholic priests who are in charge of parishes in the coastal area which are affected by the fire in the ship MV-Express Pearl today expressed displeasure over the attitude of relevent persons who are keeping mum about the fate which the fishermen have suffered as a result of the tragedy.
The 11 priests who had signed a special statement said that Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is also backing them in their struggle to help the affected fishermen.
The priests called for payment of compensation to affected fishermen both short and long term measures, use whatever funds received from the company which owns the ship and insurance claims to assist the fishermen, provide sufficient health assistance to those living in the affected coastal areas as diseases have started spreading as result of the tragedy, to use schemes such as Samurdhi to assist the fishermen who have lost their livelihood and take quick measures to clean up the affected coastal areas.
Priests who have signed the statement are Rev. Fr. Shantha Sagara Hettiarachchi, Rev. Fr. Lester Nonis, Rev. Fr. Nilantha Fernando, Rev. Fr. Tilina Sampath Sousa, Rev. Fr. Sujeewa Athukorala, Rev. Fr. Geom Nonis, Rev. Fr. Freely Muthkudaarachchi, Rev. Fr. Anton Premalal, Rev. Fr. Anton Taraka, Rev. Fr. Niranjan Marshal and Rev. Fr.Prasanna Sanjeewa Perera. (Yohan Perera)