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A celebration at a church in the High Security Zone in Palali has been facilitated by the Sri Lankan Army, after a request by a priest, reported the army’s Jaffna command website.
Over 500 people are reported to have attended the centenary celebrations of St James’ Church, which lies within the militarised High Security Zone around Palali South.
Permission to enter the HSZ was granted by Jaffna Commander Major General Udaya Perera after a request by Fr. Anton Bala of St. Joseph’s church in Atchuvely.
The mass, conducted by the Bishop Jaffna Dr. Thomas Saundaranayagam, was held in the presence of the military, with soldiers of the 7th Gajaba Regiment providing water to the devotees.
Residents of the area currently occupied by the HSZ were evicted by the Sri Lankan government over two decades ago and have not been allowed to return to their homes.
Tamils from Palali demand to be resettled home (08 May 2012)
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