Jesuit not guilty of Tamil Tiger ties

Priest and five others acquitted of all charges after court hearing

ucanews.com reporter, Batticaloa
Sri Lanka
May 27, 2011

Catholic Church News Image of Jesuit not guilty of Tamil Tiger ties

Jesuit Father Paul Satkunanayagam with some children

A Jesuit priest and five other people who were accused of having links with Tamil Tiger rebels have been acquitted after a court hearing on Tuesday.

Father Paul Satkunanayagam and the others, all ethnic Tamils, were arrested in Dambulla on February 9. They were freed two days later. The Jesuit priest and others appeared in court on March 23 for their first hearing but the case was postponed until May 24.

“The Crime Investigating Department, Terrorist Investigating Department and Security Intelligent Service went through my life history, my counseling centre history, funders who help me and my accounts,” said Father Satkunanayagam.

Father Satkunanayagam said he was acquitted from charges of being affiliated to “violent groups.”

Media reports said the priest and five others arrested were allegedly in possession of CDs containing war songs that were sung by Tamil Tiger rebels.

Father Satkunanayagam, who is in his 70s and is in poor health, works at an NGO center in Batticaloa where he offers counseling. He studied in the United States where he obtained a doctorate in psychology.

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Prabath

Jesuits are a secretive sect be careful of them,They are behind all the troubles in the world
Niel

I know Father Paul,he is a counseller, and only counseller. He was with the orphans and war victims and he treated all needy people without any partiality.Now that war is over don;t create anything to hurt people.For a man who worked so much for humanity you should in fact treat him with honour.
Rf

Even Jesus was crusified.
RespiceFinem

Sadly, there are a lot of people that the US arrested in Iraq, Afghanistan and even inside USA with suspected ties to extremist Islamic groups. Some were arrested just for sending funds to relief organizations which help refugees. This sort of action is needed and necessary.If he was not guilty so be it; this will contradict the Tiger Tamil terrorists(including Catholic priests like Father Emmanuel) who claim courts do the government’s behest.
RespiceFinem

Sadly, there are a lot of people that the US arrested in Iraq, Afghanistan and even inside USA with suspected ties to extremist Islamic groups. Some were arrested just for sending funds to relief organizations which help refugees. This sort of action is needed and necessary.If he was not guilty so be it; this will contradict the Tiger Tamil terrorists(including Catholic priests like Father Emmanuel) who claim courts do the government’s behest.
Nihilist

you meant to say crucified …
Nihilist

His Centre should be kept under watch like how the US wiretaps a lot of mosques and Islamic charity organizations in the US.
Nihilist

His Centre should be kept under watch like how the US wiretaps a lot of mosques and Islamic charity organizations in the US.
Macernest

Bravo Prabath for you purile statement.
It is better to shut up and be thought a fool than open your mouth and clear all doubts about it.
Benjamin

I am a student of Rev.Fr.Paul and a product from a Jesuit Institution called St.Michael’s College, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.
If you talk to anyone from Batticaloa, you will know what the Jesuits have done to Batticaloa. It is very unfortunate to see some comments here but as a Michaelite I am proud to say that I am a product of Jesuits. Long live Jesuits and Rev.Fr.Paul.
Anonymous

You might like to read our blog note on the subject here, Benjamin
http://blogs.ucanews.com/give-us-this-day/2011/05/28/thank-you-mr-prabath/
Sanakuna Kasinathan

Fr.Paul Satkunanayagam is a legend of our times. He studied in the US, could have easily stayed there and been a wealthier man, but decided to go back to motherland and counsel the many innocent youth of Batticaloa. To me he is PALAN, innocence personified, and am positive that he only guided the
youth of the nation. I know him well enough as I also come from his hometown, and is the first person I visit when I am there. WE are with YOU all the way.