"We pray for Fr Karunaratnam, the head of North East Secretariat on Human Rights. We are richer for his courageous work in maintaining a focus on the rights of the marginalised."
- Acting CEO, Jamie Isbister, Caritas Australia. 
"Caritas Sri Lanka is deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Fr. Karunaratnam. He was an example of courage and humanity and will be missed by all.” 
-  Fr Damian Fernando, Caritas Sri Lanka.

Most of us have heard the shocking news of the assassination of Rev. Father M X Karunaratnam, Chairman of the North East Secretariat on Human Rights (NESoHR) on the 20th of April 2008.  He died in close proximity to his residential prayer and counselling centre, which was a haven to those who suffered the trauma of the ongoing war. As head of NESoHR which was set up in July 2004 as part of the 2002 Peace Process, Fr Karunaratnam worked tirelessly to strengthen the human rights protection mechanisms in the North and East of Sri Lanka.  Rev Fr Karunaratnam is the 5th Christian Tamil priest killed in the last two years (9th in the last few years).

You are kindly invited to pay tribute to this beloved priest and tireless human rights activist and participate in the remembrance gathering to be held on the 18 May 2008 in Brisbane. 

Date:                     3.45pm for 4pm, Sunday, 25 May 2008
Venue:                  Holy Family Church Hall
37 Ward Street
Indooroopilly 4068

For further information, please contact Selva on 0402 960 439, Wimal on 3279 3696,  Mr David Daniel on 3398 8616, or Fr Pancaras on 0415 461 620.
If you are able to attend, please RSVP by 22 May 2008.

 Thanking you.
Yours sincerely,
Professor E.A. Selvanathan