Aug 29, Colombo: Sri Lanka Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe in a press release said the story on BBC Sinhala web site which quotes a purported communication from the "Catholic Church" addressed to UN Secretary-General relating to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Wanni, does not present an accurate picture of the reality on the ground.

The Press release further stated that when a clarification of this news report was sought from their Lordships the Bishops of Jaffna and Mannar, the Minister was reassured by the Bishops that the communication was made without their sanction and appears to be the writer's personal perspective.

"The two Bishops have also acknowledged the excellent cooperation extended to them by the Sri Lankan security forces and, in particular, the Security Force Commanders serving in Wanni, who are in regular contact with them and have often facilitated delivery of humanitarian assistance when requested by the Bishops," a Press Release from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights said.