Vatican City – Pope Benedict XVI will meet tomorrow with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse as the people of Sri Lanka endure a violent armed conflict, intimidation and harassment. Schools, hospitals and public transport have been targeted in fighting between military, police forces and armed opposition groups. Men, women and children are killed or are 'disappeared' on a daily basis.

More than 40,000 people have been displaced in the North East of the country in the last month alone bringing the total to more than 180,000 that have fled their homes during the past year of the conflict. In some areas, aid agencies are being prevented from assisting displaced people and access and protection for humanitarian support agencies remain key problems.

Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis Duncan MacLaren said, "We welcome Pope Benedict's efforts in promoting peace in Sri Lanka in a conflict that has already wasted too many innocent lives.

"The humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka is getting worse. Jaffna has become a virtual open air prison, with the only land route closed since 11 August last year. It is crucial that the land route be re-opened as a humanitarian corridor.

"We hope the meeting with the Pope inspires President Mahinda Rajapakse to seek every peaceful means in his power to resolve the crisis in the country, and that all sides in the conflict re-engage in peace process.

"Each side involved in the fighting in Sri Lanka shows continuing disregard for international humanitarian law. The international community must follow the Pope's lead in pressing all warring parties in Sri Lanka to respect the safety and well-being of all civilians throughout Sri Lanka."

Caritas in Sri Lanka works with all affected communities to provide refuge and shelter, basic food and water supplies, work opportunities, education and health for displaced families fleeing in fear from fighting. Caritas is active in assisting more than 10,000 families (over 66,000 people).

 Caritas urges all parties to the Sri Lankan conflict to commit:

• To immediate de-escalation of the conflict and progress towards a negotiated solution

• To accept a United Nations-appointed international human rights monitoring mission to effectively monitor violations of humanitarian law

• To participate in a serious dialogue on constitutional reform that acknowledges the aspirations of all minorities in Sri Lanka

Caritas is also calling for an independent investigation into the disappearance of Fr. T. Nihal Jimbrown, last seen crossing a Government checkpoint on 20 August last year.

For more information, contact: Nancy McNally, Tel: +39 06 69879752  Mobile: +39 334 2344 136 mcnally@caritas.va or visit www.caritas.org