Bishop says elections will spark violence in the east

Talking to BBC Sandeshaya, Bishop of Batticaloa, Dr. Kingsley Swampillai said the violence in the East had eased in the past few weeks.

"[It's] a little bit better but the problems are still there".

"The greater part of the area is under army control, but they are still fighting the LTTE in the western part of Batticaloa," he said.

Violence in the east

"My opinion is that it can recur once they [the army] leave the place," he added.

They (politicians) broke promises and tore up the agreements they had with the people here

The Sri Lankan government's decision over the proposed local elections in the East is still pending.

Dr. Swampillai says it would be impossible to hold free and fair elections under the present security situation.

"They may go through though I cannot rule out violence. To have the elections is not advisable", says the Bishop.

LTTE 'biased'

When asked about the accusations of the church being too close to the LTTE, the Bishop says those had been around for a sometime.

"Yes this has been the opinion right from the beginning, especially the Church in the North and the East".

Even today, I do not think the All Party Conference will bring out any solution that will be acceptable to everyone and will help to neutralise the fighting

But the focus should be about the reason for the beginning of the violence.

The Bishop says the people of the North and the East were disappointed with the politicians.

LTTE separatism

“They broke promises and tore up the agreements they had with the people here”.

“ The LTTE or other groups began to pursue a really genuine cause, [which] is the equality of the fundamental rights of the minorities, of the Tamil and Muslim people in the north and east. The discrimination that is held over these people should be eliminated”; says Bishop Swamipillai.

“Even today, I do not think the All Party Conference will bring out any solution that will be acceptable to everyone and will help to neutralise the fighting”.

That is how the Tamil and Muslim minorities; their fundamental rights are respected and devolution ought to be implemented. I do not think separatism is going to work

He says minority rights need to be upheld. “That is how the Tamil and Muslim minorities; their fundamental rights are respected and devolution ought to be implemented. I do not think separatism is going to work”.

Bishop Swamipillai says a longer lasting solution is needed."We only appeal that the whole process be looked at from a different angle".

Commenting on the recent abductions and disappearances in the country according to human rights commission in the Batticaloa district, Dr. Swampillai comments:

"Some of these abductions are for money; some of them are for connections with armed groups".

But a fear psychosis is implemented as a strategy says the Bishop, "Another purpose is to instil terror in normal people. You can't walk peacefully, you can't talk peacefully, you can't work peacefully. This terror is being kept up".

The Bishop also voiced his concern over the plight of civilians in the country.

"Until you neutralise these militants of whichever party, you cannot talk peace or create peace. The government needs to examine the deeper roots of terrorism".

"Interracial harmony is the thing which the government should pay attention to" said the Bishop of Batticaloa who came to the BBC studios in London.