(Translation of the Interview published in the Pathukavalan - Catholic News Paper of 15^th March 2005)

Whoever Questions HUDEC Caritas Organisation Amounts To Questioning The Suffering People
-Fr. C.G.Jeyakumar

 Rev.Fr. C. G. Jeyakumar, Director of HUDEC - Caritas Jaffna organised a press conference on 31.3.2005 in the Bastion Hotel in which Mr.Prither, Secretary General of Caritas France was present, Fr. Jeyakumar in welcoming the secretary general stated as follows:

We would like to thank Mr. Prither the Secretary General of Caritas France who has come to Jaffna to see for himself the situation of Jaffna after the Tsunami Tidal Waves Disaster. In the name of the people of Jaffna and the Bishop of Jaffna we thank Caritas France for their help and assistance to people of Jaffna.

Mr. Prither mentioning about his visit and projects stated that immediately after the Tsunami attack it was the people of Sri Lanka who came to the assistance of the affected. Other international organisations stepped in only later. We the Caritas Internationalise functioning in 162 Catholic Relief, Development and Social Service Organisation in 201 countries and territories are glad to see the people of Sri Lanka living with hope. We work with Rev. Fr. Jeyakumar on equal terms. We have not come here to force anything on the people. We have come to assist the people according to their needs.

Resident representative Mr. Mike explained about their services and project in French. This was translated into Tamil.

Fr. C. G. Jeyakumar Director of Caritas Jaffna has already constructed 900 temporary shelters to the people affected by tsunami disaster. Each of these cost LKR 70, 000. We are going to provide 400 fishing boats and equipment. We have decided to import fishing equipment from Japan as a shortage for these in Sri Lanka. Construction activities in respect of permanent houses have been started. We have sent 100 bicycles and provided 8 generators purchased here.

When reporters mentioned that government and ministers are questioning the volunteer organisations Fr. Jeyakumar stated as follows: HUDEC organisation is functioning from the time of the ethnic war of 1977. This organisation is registered as a non-governmental organisation under the name of Jaffna Caritas HUDEC. Our objective is to serve the afflicted people. People know about our activities. Government or ministers cannot question us. Only the people have the right to question us. It is our obligation to make accounts and other details know to the public. Those sitting in the air-conditioned rooms in Colombo should not question us. Let them come to Jaffna and questions us. We are serving the people. All the questions directed toward us are questions asked from the suffering people. 

Reporting Unit
HUDEC - CARITAS JAFFNA
19^th April 2005