Catholic prelates write to Prez, demanding justice for Ishalini

CYRIL WIMALASURENDRE

KANDY – The Bishop of the Central Province Dr. Vianney Fernando has, in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, requested a speedy investigation into the death of Jude Kumar Ishalini, 16, who died while working as a domestic worker at the residence of MP Rishad Bathiudeen.

The Bishop has asked the President to ensure that all those responsible for her death are brought to justice. Several other senior priests in the province, Fr. Ivan Jayasundara, Fr. Edwin Rodrigo and Fr. Nandana Manatunga are signatories to the letter.

The letter further says: “We are aware of at least another instance where a 17-year-old girl from another Parish in our diocese was raped. However, the judicial proceedings are still ongoing for nearly 20 years. The survivor has been attending hundreds of court hearings and must relive her ordeal again and again. We recognise the important role of the media in exposing such events, but we would also like to highlight the importance of respecting the privacy of the grieving family members.”

The priest have asked the President to take action to develop school education in the plantation sector and bring down the high school dropout rate. The estate sector communities need a reasonable and stable income, and this can be done through a minimum wage for estate workers and other income-generating activities, they have said.

They have also urged the President to introduce legal reforms to ensure that no one below 18 years would be employed as domestic workers, and ensure that domestic workers’ wellbeing and rights are protected. Domestic workers need to have reasonable working hours, leave, healthcare, decent accommodation with privacy, access to their families, contracts in a language understood by the workers, and the right to form and join trade unions.

The priests have asked the President for an appointment to present further proposals and discuss the issues faced by estate sector communities.