05 November, 2005 - Published 16:33 GMT

Go and Vote - North and East Bishops

The bishops of Jaffna ,Mannar and Trincomalee/Batticaloa have urged the voters of the North and East to cast their vote at the forthcoming presidential polls.

The Bishop of Mannar Rt .Rev Rayappu Joseph said that as lethargy among voters could be seen,he and the Bishop of Jaffna Rt.Rev Thomas Saundranayagam and Bishop of Trincomalee/Batticaloa, Rt.Rev.Kingsley Suwampillai decided to write to the voters and encourage them to exercise their franchise.

He said "we have not only written to the voters but we will actively be involved in facilitating voters to get to the pooling booths and also see that there is no foul play".

Asked about posters appearing in the North asking voters to boycott the elections the Bishop said that the Tamil Tigers don't have a hand in it and it's the work of a private party.

Bishop Rayappu Joseph said that they could not allow the voters to be influenced by such elements.

He also said that in the last parliamentary elections the voters participated with enthusiasm to vote for the Tamil National Alliance and this time there isn’t encouragement for voters.

The Bishop urged all candidates to actively campaign in rebel held territory as well as other parts of the north and east.