Media in the Island broadcast this statement. MTV, Sirasa TV, Suwarnavahini, Derana TV, and TNL
Department of Probation and Child Care services makes a statement (from Pradeepaya News paper 4.12.2011)
"GROUNDLESS ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE SISTERS
OF THE MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY AND 'PREM NIVASA' " " I WILL NOT ATTEND ANY STATE OR STATE INSTITUTION ORGANIZED FUNCTION DURING THIS CHRISTMAS, UNTIL THIS MATTER IS RECTIFIED"
-His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith-
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, called a Press Conference with the regard incident at " Prem Nivasa".
The Press Conference was held at the Archbishop's House, Borella, Colombo 08 on 03rd December 2011. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Episcopal Vicar Very Rev. Fr. Ivan Perera , Episcopal Vicar Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, Rev. Fr. Noel Dias, several Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, Senior Counsel Neville Abeyratne who appears for the Court case, and several other Rev. Fathers participated in the Press Conference.
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo addressing the Press Conference said, “Today we have gathered here to clarify certain matters and questions that have arisen with regard to the “Prem Nivasa” at Rawathawatta. This is home administered and looked after by the Catholic Church, with the assistance of the Sisters of Missionaries of Charity. Therefore the Archbishop of Colombo responsibly take care of this home.”
His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm said, “ Mother Teresa looked after the dying and the destitute. It is a responsibility entrusted to us in our faith and religion. Her services are very well recognized by the Indian Government and even the Hindu Organizations. These Sisters serve with a great commitment, not looking for financial benefits or gains. They get up very early in the morning by 4.00 am and begin the day with prayer to serve the poorest of the poor and the helpless in the society. Even at the “Prem Nivasa” these Sisters have been serving in a very similar way. I have personally visited this home and have met the children and I have spoken to them and to others in this home. When pregnant girls and women come to this home seeking shelter and refuge, these Sisters do not ask them a question about their religion or caste or creed or even whether they are rich or poor, etc, they never ask such questions. Some girls or women who have been raped, even thinking of committing suicide in their desperate situation, because someone has destroyed their life and dignity, their name has been tarnished, unable to go home or to their village, come this home. So these Sisters accept them and look after them very well. Raped girls or women who come to this home are sent by the Courts after the Court’s procedure is over and they are sent through the Probation Office, which is under the Social Ministry. When the children are born, these unwedded mothers are free to decide to take the child along with them or handover the child to the Sisters through the Courts and Probation office to look after the child and be given for adoption. Adoption is done through a Court procedure and it is through the Court a child is handed over for adoption having carefully and thoroughly investigated into the background and the intentions of the married couple who had asked for a child, and also inquiring the intention of the original parents of the child. Children for adoption are given through the Probation Office after following the proper Court procedure. There could be some unattended work, since the Sisters accept them as they come. However, Sisters accept these children or girls or women and help them first to overcome their sufferings, their tensions and desperate situations they have faced.”
“ Some of the Sisters serving in these home are from different other countries and do a magnificent service to the humanity. While these Sisters were serving in this way, there had been an anonymous telephone call to National Child Protection Authority ( NCPA ) and purely acting on this call, NCPA accompanying the police personnel and the media personnel, and entered “Prem Nivasa “ on 25th November 2011 and surrounded the home. And NCPA had given different interviews and information to the media, even without following a proper investigation of the anonymous telephone call they received. And they have spoken and published many things against the Sisters without a thorough inquiry. I was listening to the interview NCPA gave through SLBC ( Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation ) radio channel and I was shocked to hear what NCPA said. What happened here is that NCPA and police did not find out the true facts and information about the “ Prem Nivasa “ and about the inmates of the home, instead gave to the media totally incorrect information, which was used maliciously against the Sisters and their service.” said Cardinal Malcolm.
He also said, “ I asked the Sisters personally about their service and about the allegations leveled against them, then the Sisters told me very clearly, that they have never sold an child or have not given any child for adoption either to foreign married couples or to Sri Lankan married couples, without following the Court procedure and the procedure of the Probation Office, which is under the Social Ministry in the government. Probation Office had been closely working with the Sisters and they have been visiting this “Prem Nivasa “ very regularly to help the Sisters in their service to the destitute children and other helpless girls and women. The Director of the Probation Office gave an interview and confirmed that the work of the Sisters at “Prem Nivasa” is in order.”
“ Some news papers in the published articles, had mentioned about money being taken by the Sisters for adoption, in some news papers, it was Rs. 07 lakhs or Rs.35, 000/= and different figures were given. These are totally lies. Some news papers reported saying that they found a couple who had come at that time with Rs.35,000/= to take a child for adoption. This money was to pay the Court fee and to open a bank account in the name of the child for his or her future. So this money was not taken by the Sisters.” His Eminence said.
“Lankadeepaya news paper published a news item, with the heading of “ it is questionable to see only the handicapped children are taken abroad”. When a such heading is published, that Rawathawatta home gives only the handicapped children for abroad, this creates wrong impression to say that handicapped children are taken abroad for an ulterior purpose and to remove different organs and there is always room for misinterpretation. This is a very dangerous and serious allegation. We deny it vehemently and totally. I tell this with responsibility. We have in Catholic religion, “Do not tell lies” and even in Buddhism, it says, “ Musa Vada Veramani sikkhpadam samadiyami”( Do not tell lies ) is one of the Panchaseela precepts. Therefore we should not tell lies to cause harm on others.”
“ Since there is a Court Case, I didn’t want to give any statement or say anything to the media. But several things are written at the international level drawing attention to the incident at “ Prem Nivasa” of Mother Teresa’s Sisters. There are also several news published at the international level against this action of the authority. The Director and the Founder of Savodiya, has said that he is well aware how the Sisters look after the “Prem Nivasa” and the children and other inmates. I have been accused in the overseas Press that I, as the Archbishop of Colombo, has been silent over this matter and this silence has the media to publish news as they want about the “Prem Nivasa” and the work of the Sisters in this home. I was silent, since there was a Court Case going on. This kind of pressure pushes me to express my views over this matter as the Head of the Church in Sri Lanka.” Said Cardinal Malcolm.
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith further said, “What I have to say that there are several groundless accusations leveled without properly investigating or finding the truth about the services of these Sisters. I make use of this opportunity to protest in the strongest terms, against this high handed action. I appeal to all the Catholics to pray for these misguided people and also express their solidarity with the Sisters. Therefore, I strongly protest against the way this matter has been handled and as a mark of protest, I will not attend any State or State Institution functions during this Christmas period, until this is rectified."
