Batticaloa seeks peace and healing amidst grief and suspicion

Muslims are our brothers, we must forgive and forget 
- Bishop Ponniah 

Flags and banners mourning the dead displayed around the clock tower in Batticaloa town. 
Pics by Kushan Pathiraja  

medical teams conducted 30 to 35 emergency surgeries within a few hours

Fifteen of the victims were female, and 11 were male, including 14 children

Security tightened to prevent a possible escalation of hostilities

The bomber had first gone to the St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral

Tension and uncertainty prevailed in Batticaloa yesterday, three days after a deadly suicide blast in the Zion Church on Easter Sunday claimed the lives of 29 persons, including 14 children, prompting clergy and officials to call for peace and calm, as the eastern district experienced another day of mourning and 
shut-down.   

Most shops remained closed and residents stayed indoors, with civilian activity remaining at a minimum, as heavily-armed military and police personnel patrolled the area conducting cordon and search operations. A total 1600 police personnel have been deployed in the area, in addition to Special Task Force (STF) and military personnel and commandos. Reports indicated that special CID teams had arrived from Colombo to investigate and apprehend suspects linked to local Muslim extremist group National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ) whose leadership is reportedly from Kathankudi, south of Batticaloa.   

Amidst the security operations, the landscape continued to be dominated with white and black flags and banners mourning the dead, as mass funerals were held over the last two days. Emotions were running high as many children were buried, and rumours spread fast, adding to an atmosphere of grief and suspicion. 

Our response is to love and forgive each other, even our enemies. We must forgive and forget, and not encourage any violence, because most people want to live in peace,” 

- Bishop Ponniah

Maintaining peace
Commenting on the situation, Batticaloa Bishop Rt. Rev. Joseph Ponniah said the Christian response to such situations was to reject hatred and suspicion, and practice love and forgiveness instead. “This incident has harmed the peace in Batticaloa. Christians, Hindus and Muslims were living together in peace, but now the Muslim community is being looked on with suspicion,” said Bishop Ponniah. “We must look at the Muslim community as our brothers and not with hatred and suspicion. That is not the Christian response. Our response is to love and forgive each other, even our enemies. We must forgive and forget, and not encourage any violence, because most people want to live in peace,” the Bishop stressed. The Bishop, who also heads the committee on inter-religious dialogue in Batticaloa, added that in order to ensure peace there must be more and more dialogue between the different ethnic and religious communities.   

Deserted streets and closed up shops.

Pastor Ganeshamoorthy Thirukumaran of the Zion Church, who lost his 14-year-old son Shalom Malkiah in the bomb attack, echoed the Bishop’s message of love and forgiveness. “As a nation we have to forgive and love each other. It is only then that we can build our community and country, and save it for future generations. This land is hurting. This has to be over,” the grieving pastor said, barely 24 hours after burying his son.   

Meanwhile, Batticaloa Division Police Superintendent SP Nuwan Mendis, alluding to the 30-year war in the area, said the experiences of past violence should not be repeated. “We want to ensure that peace prevails, and no violence occurs as a result of these attacks. We don’t want the bad experiences of the past to repeat themselves. All clergy of all faiths in the area should work together to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incidents,” he said, adding that the police was on alert to prevent any possible clashes.   

Simmering tensions 
Amidst these messages of peace lies a general atmosphere of tension in the area, coupled with shock and grief. Most shops along the Trincomalee-Batticaloa main road have been closed since Easter Sunday, and black and white flags and banners were seen displayed in the towns of Oddamavadi, Valachennai, Chenkalady and Eravur, leading into Batticaloa, and in Kallady and Navathkuda. But even the flags were divided on communal lines, with Tamil shops displaying black flags and Muslim shops displaying white ones. The Batticaloa town itself was virtually deserted, with Muslim establishments being closed, and only a few Tamil shops open for business.   

A tribute to the precious lives lost on Easter Sunday.

Residents said the Muslim traders, who mainly hail mainly from Kathankudi, were staying away from the town due to fear of reprisals. Despite the heavy security presence a few incidents have occurred, signalling a possible re-emergence of years of latent Muslim-Tamil tensions in the area. In one incident two boats belonging to Muslim fisherman from Kathankudi were burnt near the Kallady Bridge, and this was followed by some unrest being reported between Tamil and Muslim fishing communities near the Navathkuda-Kathankudi border. Security has been tightened in this border to prevent a possible escalation of hostilities, police sources said.   

But Vasanthan, a 56-year-old employee of the Valachennai paper corporation, looked agitated and was uncertain as to what could transpire. “We really don’t know what will happen in the next few days. We couldn’t bear to see the burnt bodies of the children in the hospital,” he said emotionally, adding that they knew the people responsible for the attack. “We know the people who did this, but we didn’t know they were extremists like this. The bomber used to run a communication centre in the Batticaloa town a few years ago,” Vasanthan said. Such claims are not uncommon among the residents of Batticaloa these days. Another resident claimed that a leading Muslim businessman and his son, who ran a popular hotel in town, had been apprehended for allegedly aiding the bomber. Residents also blame a prominent Eastern Province Muslim politician for maintaining close links to extremist groups, including NTJ leader Zahran Hashim, who intelligence sources say had masterminded the coordinated bomb attacks. 

Civilian activity at a minimum.

  
Day of mourning
While the country observed a day of mourning, the people of Batticaloa had been grieving the loss of several children in the bomb attack. Among the funerals held for 23 bomb victims, were those of 12-year-old Sharon Steven, his 10-year-old sister Shara Ebshiba, and their 13-year-old friend Jenakshika Thivenithan, held on Monday 22 April. Sharon, Shara and Jenakshika were among the total 14 children (7 girls and 7 boys) and 12 adults, who lost their lives.   

A relative who visited the Batticaloa Hospital mortuary to identify a lost child said that most bodies were unrecognisable. “Most of the bodies were burnt. We had to identify them with the few clothes particles that were intact. Many were children. They were all black like charcoal,” he exclaimed. As the appearance of many of the victims were altered due to the blast, their remains were laid in sealed coffins, with relatives being offered a glimpse of their loved ones who passed away, before laying them to rest. The coffins were sealed as authorities had been concerned that the sight of the bodies would stir emotions and spark violence and unrest. 

Military on high alert.

 
SP Mendis said the Judicial Medical Officer conducted post-mortems on 26 victims, and their bodies were released to relatives for the final rites to be performed. He added that the Government Analyst (GA) was had inspected the bomb site and the JMO and the GA reports would be submitted to court on 29 April. “Fifteen of the victims were female, and 11 were male, including 14 children. Two bodies are yet to be identified,” SP Mendis said, adding that DNA tests would be done to confirm their identities. He said the head of the alleged bomber was found on the roof of a house near the church, and police investigators were trying to identify the bomber through CCTV footage and related intelligence reports. “We are in the process of checking CCTV footage and matching it with the  photographs we have of the suspect. We also recorded statements from the pastor, injured persons, eye witnesses and nearby residents,” he said. He added that there were several unclaimed motorcycles parked close to the bomb site, and the police were holding these vehicles as part of 
ongoing investigations.  

Saving lives
The Batticaloa Teaching Hospital reported that 69 injured persons were admitted for treatment, and 7 serious cases were undergoing treatment in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). “Two persons are in a critical condition and not showing much improvement, while the other five are now stable,” said Batticaloa Teaching Hospital Director, Dr. Kalaranchane Ganeshalingam yesterday. The remaining victims, including several children, were being treated in several surgical wards  in the hospital, mostly for burn injuries, pellet wounds and compound fractures, Dr. Ganeshalingam added. “Of the 57 patients who were admitted, we discharged 26 on Tuesday,” she said, adding that a further 12 patients were awaiting to be discharged by yesterday. “When we heard of the bomb attack we immediately informed all consultants, and medical staff worked with dedicated service to save lives,” Dr. Ganeshalingam said. In fact, doctors and nurses who were on New Year vacation in their home-town Batticaloa joined the regular staff to give their support, as bomb victims were rushed in.   

As a nation we have to forgive and love each other. It is only then that we can build our community and country, and save it for future generations. This land is hurting. This has to be over,” Pastor 
Kumaran said, barely 24 hours after burying his son 

Medical sources said several victims had to also undergo open abdominal surgery to prevent excessive bleeding due to injuries sustained to the liver and spleen. Those with less serious injuries were treated and discharged after their conditions were stabilized, with medical sources estimating that between 120 to 150 persons were treated that day.   

On a typical day the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) section handles about 25 patients per day. But on that day medical teams had to conduct about 30 to 35 emergency surgeries within a few hours, between 9.00 am and 12.30 am. “A further 15 surgeries were conducted overnight,” said anaesthetist Dr. S. Mathanalagan. A further 2 persons were transferred to the Kandy and Anuradhapura hospitals to undergo neurosurgical operations for spinal cord injuries and head injuries sustained from pellets, Dr. Mathanalagan added.   

However, despite all efforts to save lives, 10 persons died on admission, said Chief Nursing Officer Mr. Nagagamani Kanagarajah. He added that 15 bodies were brought in directly to the hospital on the day of the attack, and another body the following day. Describing the day’s events, Mr. Kanagarajah said: “At about 9.00 am two health assistants rushed into my office and told me that a bomb had gone off in a nearby church. I immediately rushed to the A&E and prepared the place to receive patients. I instructed all nursing staff to come to the A&E to help with the situation, and many doctors and consultants helped as well.” He added that initially four or five children were brought in, and then the adults were brought in. “Most victims had burn injuries and were bleeding excessively, ” Mr. Kanagarajah said.  

Meanwhile, medical staff said there were fears of another possible bomb attack occurring as large crowds gathered at the hospital. “The military was summoned to cordon off the premises and check those present and control the crowd,” a doctor who worked in the A&E that day said.  

 
First target St. Mary’s Cathedral
Church sources and residents said a suspicious character had first gone to the St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on the same road opposite St. Michael’s Boys’ School at 8.30 am and had made inquiries about the mass there. This was confirmed by Batticaloa Bishop Rt. Rev. Joseph Ponniah.  

A catholic priest said the suspect had been seen lurking around the Cathedral the previous day as well. “The priest in charge had called the Easter service early, and began at 7.00 am instead of 7.30 am. So by 8.30 am most of the congregation had left,” he said, adding that about 1000 persons had attended the catholic mass on Easter Sunday. Bishop Ponniah said that he had presided over midnight mass the previous night, and that a congregation of about 2000 had been present.   

When the suspect learnt that the Catholic mass had ended and that the bulk of the congregation had dispersed, he had made his way to the smaller Zion church about 50 metres down the road.   

Two persons are in a critical condition and not showing much improvement, while the other five are now stable

- Dr.Kalaranchane Ganeshalingam

Blast in Zion Church
The bomb attack had occurred around 9.00 am at the Zion Church on Central Road in the heart of the town, just as mass was about to begin. The small evangelical church had been established in 1972 by pastor L. Moses and in 1987 Pastor Roshan Mahesan took over and continues to be the senior pastor in charge to date. However as Pastor Mahesan was overseas, Pastor Ganeshamoorthy Thirukumaran, or Pastor Kumaran, who usually overseas a church in Karavatti, west of Batticaloa, was assigned to be in charge of the 
Zion Church.   

Relating his encounter with the bomber, Pastor Kumaran, said: “I noticed a person standing near the pastor’s office, with a bag on his shoulder and clutching another bag to his chest. I greeted him as I thought he was a new member to the church. I then asked him who he was, and why he was standing there, and invited him inside.”   

Radimala Parameswaram

The man, who appeared to be in his 30s and was of medium height, identified himself as ‘Umar’ from the nearby Oddamavadi town. He told Pastor Kumaran that he was just there to observe what was happening, and had asked more questions and details about the church. “I thought he was like the many new people who come to our church. I identified him as a Muslim, but many Muslims come for our healing services, so I didn’t have any doubts or suspicions about him,” Pastor Kumaran said.  

Pastor Kumaran had then told another a senior worshipper Brother Stanley, who was assigned to lead the Easter service, to invite the man inside. Pastor Kumaran had then left with his wife, who is an English teacher, and their youngest daughter, to conduct mass in the Karavatti church. At the same time several children, including Pastor Kumaran’s second son 14-year-old Shalom Malkiah, were outside the Zion Church, having their Sunday school breakfast before service began. “About 15 minutes after I left I got a call from co-workers wife who screamed ‘wanga’ (come), saying that the church was burning,” he said. Pastor Kumaran immediately turned his bike and raced back to the church. “Everything was devastated, and we immediately started helping the injured,” he said.   

After Pastor Kumaran had left the Zion Church the suspect had continued asking questions about the church and people there from Brother Stanley. This had raised some doubt in Brother Stanley’s mind, and so he asked two aides to escort the suspect out of the church premises. But the man continued to hover around and then had reportedly tried to force his way into the church. When his path was blocked he had detonated the bomb just outside the church and close to the children. Pastor Kumaran’s 14-year-old son Shalom Malkiah was among the children who died in the explosion. Worshippers believe that if the man had managed to go into the church building, which comprised 2 floors, and had about 500 worshippers inside, the death toll would have been higher. Speaking of his son Shalom, Pastor Kumaran said: “He would always call me when I was out on ministry. He liked to be with me always, sometimes would even sleep with me. I know I will meet him 
in heaven.”  

The Zion Church which faced this devastation was already recovering from a tragedy. The previous week four of its members had been among the 10 persons who died in the van-bus collision on the Mahiyangana-Badulla road.   

The bomb site had been cordoned off by the CID who are investigating the damage. Residents near the church said they had herd a huge sound, and some houses in the vicinity were damaged as well. Church goers said people had to break the roof of the church to escape the flames that engulfed the building after the blast. They also charged that the Municipal Council fire brigade had reached the site late.  

 
Survivors 
One of the survivors, 11-year-old Santosh, has to undergo plastic surgery to recover from severe burn injuries. His brother said that their father had been chatting with the priest when there had been a sudden blast. His sister and brother had attended Sunday school that morning. Meanwhile 13-year-old Jeyashan was pinned under the ceiling as portions of it collapsed on his leg, causing fractures.  

Mahandran Meshak, who is 14-years-old, lost his younger brother in the blast. Mahandran himself is suffering from severe burn injuries. His grandfather said Mahandran was near the church gate when the explosion hit him. Medical staff said there was a foreign object inside the boy’s scalp, which needed to 
be removed.   

Roshan is a 28-year-old safety supervisor who works in Colombo, who is suffering from several pellet wounds. “I went to the church at about 8.55 am. I parked my bike outside and as I entered the church compound there was a huge blast, and I lost conciousness. I tried to walk, but collapsed, and then someone put me on a bike and rushed me to hospital,” he said.  
Ms. Dilani Sasikanthan is 31-years-old, and has several glass particles embedded in her scalp. Her sister Lalithakala said doctors were keeping her under observation to determine whether to operate her to remove the glass particles, as that may damage her brain.   The 54-year-old Radimala Parameswaram was seated on the church steps when the blast threw her aside, causing injuries to her abdomen. Her son, a 26-year-old undergrad of the Jaffna University, was being treated in the ICU for more 
severe injuries.   

Ms. Karunaharam Sumathy is 52-years-old and has suffered an eye injury and is still in shock and cannot speak.  

Ms. Nirandini Lesli Ulagasekaram is 36-years-old and she was near the church door when the blast occurred. “I could not get up. I couldn’t understand what had happened. My leg was bleeding, and there was another woman near me bleeding as well,” she said. Ms. Ulagasekaram also had a foreign object embedded inside her leg, and it was surgically removed.   

Many more patients are being treated in the surgical wards of the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital. As they slowly recover under the care of experienced and dedicated medical staff, the rest of the country is experiencing widespread apprehension, uncertain of whether the scars of the past and the wounds of the present can be healed.