By Yohan Perera   

Catholic priests who are in charge of parishes in the coastal area which are affected by the fire in the ship MV X-Press Pearl today expressed displeasure over the attitude of relevant authorities who are keeping mum about the fate the fishermen are undergoing as a result of the tragedy.   

The 11 priests who had signed a special statement said 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 for both short and long term measures, use whatever funds received from the company which own the ship and insurance funds to assist the fishermen, provide sufficient health services to those living in the affected coastal areas in the event diseases spread, 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.   The priests who have signed the statement include Fr Shantha Sagara Hettiarachchi, Fr Lester Nonis, Fr Nilantha Fernando, Fr Tilina Sampath Sousa, Fr Sujeewa Athukorala, Fr Geom Nonis, Fr Freely Muthkudaarachchi, Fr Anton Premalal, Dr Anton Taraka, Fr Niranjan Marshal and Fr Prasanna Sanjeewa Perera .