Mental stress takes its toll on Tamil refugees

(June 26, 2010) Priests serving war refugees in northern Sri Lanka say they are concerned about the psychological impact on these people the longer they stay in their camps. “They should be allowed to unite with their families,” said Father Emilianuspillai Santhiapillai, head of Vavuniya deanery. A protracted stay in refugee camps could create further psychological problems for these people, said Father Santhiapillai, who schedules priests’ visits to these camps as well as to rehabilitation camps for former Tamil Tiger soldiers. Although refugees are slowly returning to their villages one year after the civil war ended, about 60,000 people are still languishing in camps awaiting resettlement. Bishops, priests and nuns minister to them by organizing Masses and lending a listening ear. “Their only happiness is that the shellings and bombings have ceased,” said Oblate Father Celestine Mascringe, parish priest of St Anthony’s Church in Cheddikulam village. “They will be relieved if allowed to return to their villages after being displaced several times and being detained by the military.” The priest visits Kathirgamar camp which has 8,000 refugees, more than 1,200 of whom are Catholics. They give milk powder, soap, clothes and cash donated by Catholics in Mannar diocese. The military has also allowed Masses to be held on Fridays and Sundays. Government officials say all refugees would be resettled by the end of August.