My Pampamadu project for war-victimized children

 I had started a project with the help of the German catholics to help educating the poorest of the poor in Sri Lanka, namely the children of the Tea Plantation areas. It is going well for the last 37 years.

After the end of the war in 2009 in Sri Lanka, I wanted to help the war-victimized children of the North.

Fr. Wilhelm Rang who helped me earlier in starting two projects for the estate population - Waththamulla Project (1977-1986) and the Punduloya St.Peters Home (1981-   )at his death left 12,000 euros for helping in Sri Lanka.

Hence I thought of this as a project in Pampamadu in memory of my late Bishop Jerome Emilianuspillai, who formed and helped me to the priesthood.

The land was given to the Carmelite sisters by Bishop Rayappu Joseph. I sent the 12,000 euros to Sr.Mary Carmella AC, the provincial of the Apostolic Carmelites. She appointed Sr. Thevanesam AC who with the help of the Claretian Fr. Arulraj first built a nursery centre for the war-victimized children of the area.

My Self-Exile from 1996-2017 in Europe

1. From Sept.1986 till Oct.1996 Rector of St.Francis Xavier's Seminary, Colombogam
From 1992-7 as Vicar General of Jaffna Diocese

In Sept. 1986 I became the 2nd  Rector of St:Francis Xavier's Seminary, Colombogam, Jaffna. My ten years of experience from 1976 till 1986 as Dean of Theology / Prefect of Studies helped me to take over this rectorship with confidence and introduce many changes into the life of the seminary.

2. Political situation, IPKF and LTTE

But the political Situation of the North was not conducive to any smooth life. With the war between the SL army and the LTTE and the induction of the IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) in to the Northeast put enormous stress on our lives.  Not only shortages of Food, lack of electricity, no telephones, but also continuous fear of Arrest Shooting deaths etc. My guiding the Seminary was a real challenge in many ways. Six of the seminarians were taken into the IPKF camp near by and tortured for 5 days under suspicion and released. The six students taken by the IPKF one night and tortured by them them under suspicion that they were LTTE supporters. I had to beg of the and get them released after 5 days.

Ten years as Rector of the Seminary and later as VG I experienced the consequences of the war. It was first under the IPKF Indian Peace Keeping Force, sent to protect and liberate us, but disappointingly, due to their lack of communication in Tamil and suspicion that all Tamils are terrorists, their mission was a failure. 

After the departure of the IPKF came the LTTE. When bombs fell on churches and schools and people perished, naturally I spoke on behalf of my people and gave As VG I had to deal with their rules and regulations. when the churches and schools were bombed and innocent people perished, naturally as VG I gave a loud cry through media and sent telegrams to President Chandrika.

Leader getting to know that I am for my people, he wanted to meet me.  For the LTTE my speaking out was supportive but for the Govt. it was a terrorist-support

3. Exodus out of Jaffna 

The climax of our fear came on the 31st of Occt. 1995 when the SL Forces were marching into the Jaffna Peninsula with Aerial bombings. LTTE advised the peninsula Population for safety to move out. 500,000 People went through the narrow Navatkuli Bridge in one night to the south of the Northern province. I wrote my personal experience about this historic Exodus of the 500000 People out of the peninsula.

4. Six months in Wanni jungles

I also moved to Mirusuvil and did my Service as Rector and as Vicar General of the diocese. With my kerosene oil powered morris minor and a Motor cycle, I tried to help a Population Camping out in all possibel places like Schools churches hospitals.

One of my beloved Student Fr.Loret of Chempianpattu, who was only an year in priesthood,  served his People and died due to Malaria for lack of medicine on 1st Jan 1996 in Hospital.

In Dec. 1995, with the help of extra boats provided by the LTTE, I moved the students and staff of the seminary to Arobanam in Uruthirapuram Kilinochchi. The Seminary was able to function here for one full semester till the 26th of July 1996. The SL Govt made radio announcements that they were to bomb Kilinochchi areas and asked even the NGOs to move out. On the 25th night with my morris minor kerosene oil car loaded with few bags of Sr. Lucilla and mine, we moved towards Madhu. Driving at night through the jungles, I passed by often  women carrying a child in arms and a plastic bag in the other. How many times she was displaced? from her house, from her cows/ dog, from her bad or furniture.... Now left with a child in her arms and the miimum in a plastic bag!

After spending a few days at Madhu at the shrine of O.L.of Madhu, leaving many of my possessions - my morris minor car, computer, motor ctcle...to Fr.James Pathinathan and HF sisters, I proceeded via Colombo to London.

5. London - Catholic Chaplaincy & Lond. University-Heythrop College

while staying with Judy Jegatheeswaran, my niece I was assisting the Parish priest of St.John Fisher in North Harrow for masses. I was intending to return to Sri Lanka after a six months break in Europe. But people in Colombo, like Mr. Kumar Ponnambalam phoned me requesting not to return because the govt. and their media were very hostile to me. With Mr.Ivan Pedropillai, I went to Heythrop College, attached to the London University and they gave me a status as Visiting Scholar active in the London University with few lectures. With this appointment I got my visa to stay in London for one year.

The political situation at home was not improving. I was drawn to help the diaspora Tamils in their efforts to lobby the British govt. as well as politicians there. But my income from the university or church was very limited and had to depend on my sister's family. For a longer exile I decided to go to Germany Muenster diocese where I was Pastor and professor 1983-4

6. Germany Horneburg 9/1997 till 2/2007  -Parish Priest St.Maria Magdalena
When I met Bishop Rheinhard Lettmann bishop of Muenster, he said welcome to Muenster, "you had done well at Darfeld I have a difficult parish for you!." It was Horneburg where the Parish council and the church council have resigned in protest against their pastor Bodeweck that he be removed! He wanted me to take over this parish. I readily agreed and got Mr. Menneman to drive me to Horneburg to see the church. After seeing the church, I went to the parish house and met Fr. Bodeweck who told me that he was leaving the parish on 1/9/1997. 
From London I came by van with Fr.Jeyasegaram to Mr.Singarayar. Mr Singarayar took me to Horneburg Internat and the to the parish house where I was received by Mr.Doerdelmann, Pollmueller,Sindern.I set to work organisin elections for the church council and parish council. Aux. Bishop Josef Voss was friendly and helpful. Mr.Heinz Koenig was a good friend for me. with his help I got my small pension and in 2001 with the letter of Bp Lettmann, I got a german passport. 
Parish council meetings were not easy and got on my nerves, but I moved thru. 
I started special children liturgy for small children with parents, dueing mass got all children to hold hands with me around the altar in reciting the Our Father, installed a screen behind altar to use my computer for the sermons, brought a statue O.L. of Fatima from Portugel, and with the help of architect Nitzbon built a Grotto O.L next to the church. Miss Anita, adopted daughter of my sister Baby Mary Anne came to live with me and worked for me as secretary. 

 When I completed my 40 years of priestly life, I thinking that I may not reach 50, organised a big celebration inviting my relations and friends from UK, Canada and Australia. Auxilliary Bishop Josef Voss presided the concelebrated mass with 16 priests. Miss Roshani Gnanam gave a Baratha Natyam after mass. Reception was in the parish hall.

In August 2006 got a heart attack and four stents were put placed. From that time I had to slow down my activity and thought of retiring as Vicarius Cooperator to Fr.Otto Banse in Darfeld. 

7. Germany Darfeld 2/2007 till 17/2018 - asst. (Vicarius Kooperator) St.Nikolaus

The older generation in Darfeld remembered my stay in 1983-84.I was planning to take a room at the elders home in Darfeld. But fortunately just before I came to Darfeld, Mrs. Rosa of Sandweg 4 died and the house became vacant. It was very convenient for me to live so close to church, have visitors and enjoy my life and work. In May 2009 the war was over in Sri Lanka, but our struggle had to continue in the internationalised phase of the struggle.In Jan 2010 I was elected president of the Global Tamil Forum in UK parliament buildings. From then on I had to fly a lot around the world campaigning support for our cause.
In 2014 I celebrated my 80th Birthday in Darfeld followed by many celebrations in various cities of the world.
In 2015 we Tamils helped a regime change in Sri Lanka. President Sirisena on his first visit to London, invited the GTF for breakfast in Hilton London. There he and minister Mangala Samaraweera suggested that I return to Sri Lanka and work for reconciliation.

In Dec,2016 I celebrated my golden jubilee mass with Pope Francis in Vatican. After mass in private audience, he too suggested my return to Sri Lanka.
Considering my age, invitation from President of SL and encouragement from Pope Francis, I decided to return to SL for good.

My historic return home in 2017

1. Historic return? why historic?

Since my becoming a priest in Dec. 1966, I have been travelling and flying a lot, in Sri Lanka, Asia and in the world.
1.1 As a priest & theologian to all parts of Sri Lanka with my Volkswagon for lectures and seminars.

1.2 As a theological advisor for the FABC from 1986 till 1994,  flew to almost all 18 countries of the FABC.

1.3 From 1996 forced to Exile into UK and Germany, later elected President of the GTF in 2010, I had to fly to many parts of the world Lobbying Support of various governments and addressing Meeting of Tamil Diaspora organisations.

In all These travels i enjoyed returning home to Jaffna or London or Germany. But this return at the end of 2017 is historic, because after a much considered and planned out Programme, I returned to my birth place to spend the last Phase of my life, closer to the home and closer to God whom I first experienced in my youth. this decision making started after two important events - the President of Sri Lanka inviting me to come back to SL and my celebrations of the priestly golden jubilee. I thought that I could be helpful in this governments plan for reconciliation and peace. And to live my following of Jesus close to my Tamil people, at least the last phase of life as discipleship. Being a disciple and co-pilot with Jesus guiding me, I must move not very fast or long term, but slowly enough to take orders from Him.

2. Winding up my 21 years of self-exile, 

was not easy. Frequent visits to London to see my sister and family and many visits during the war to different Tamil meetings in the world, many engagements as president of the Global Tamil Forum, in different capitals of the world, kept me busy with flight arrangements. These 21 years were for me a cosmopolitan life rich in experience of meeting people, motivating people about their duty in favour of our people and soliciting support from international organizations and governments towards a peaceful solution of our problrms. 

Though travelling all over, I had luckily a parish church base which was home to me. From 1997 till 2007 as Parish priest of St.Mary Magdalene, Horneburg and the 2007 till 2017 St. Nicholas parish in Darfeld. These two bases gave me a place to grow in my closeness to God and also put out my reflections through my writings. Leaving behind all these with golden jubilee celebrations was for me a big celebrations of gratitude and farewell. 

As a priest I have had 51 years of contact starting from my first mass on 1st Jan 1967 in Immekeppel, Cologne diocese. Annuual visits in summer especially  after 1976 I made lot of friends - priests theologians lay people - some visited me in Sri Lanka. 

3. How/why I decided to return home

In 2014 a preparation was made for a regime change in Sri Lanka with the support of the Tamils. As President of the GTF, I exhorted the diaspora Tamils to support the regime change in Sri Lanka, because the Rajapaksa regime after the genocide of Tamils in Mullivaikaal in 2009, was getting worse in trying to extradicate the roots of Tamil existence in Sri Lanka by Sinhalisation Buddhistisation and militarisation of the Tamil areas. Successfully the regime change was made on 8th Jan 2015. In march, President Sirisena made his 1st official visit to London. In recognition of the support given by the GTF for the regime change, I was invited to London Hilton for breakfast on the 11th March. With four ministers and four GTF officials we had breakfast where I greeted the President with traditional beetle leaves. During the breakfast the president and minister Mangala Samaraweera invited me to return home and work for reconciliation. This invitation was repeated a little later too when  I along with Suren Surendiran met him and minister Mangala in Berlin.

On the 16thDec 2016 I celebrated the golden jubilee of my priesthood with a concelebrated mass with Pope Francis at St.Marthas Chapel in the Vatican. After Mass when I had the audience with Pope, I thanked him for his visit to Sri Lanka in 2015, especially for his visit to Madhu calling for reconciliation, he advised me to return home and work for reconciliation.

4. Return in 2 stages

This return home - decision I executed in two stages. In Sept 2017 I came here for a 5 weeks tour testing the waters - meeting govt. ministers, meeting Chandrika, Civic leaders like Ariyaratne of Sarvodaya and church leaders cardinal and bishops. 

5. Final Return Home

After my farewell celebrations on 16.12.2017, I returned from Dusseldorf on the 17th evening and reached Colombo on the 18th Dec. afternoon. Afier 2 days in Colombo I came to Jaffna Bishop's House on the 21st.Dec, 2017

6. Life in Jaffna Bishop's House

It did not take a long time to settle down in the two-rooms of the Bishops House - one room my living room, the other my office-work room.

After one year I was ready to publish 4 books.

A Tamil re-publication of Mudintha Mullivaaikalum Thoddarum Pooraddamum

a Tamil re=publication of  Inappirachchinayum Ilankai Thiruchchapayaum

ATamil publication on laity maturing in the church - Pothu Nilayinar Muthirchchi

Besides visited my 2 humanitarian projects in Punduloya for last 36 years and Pampamadu for last 7 years. My motive to settle down in Jaffna is to live the last phase of life as a disciple of Jesus in the midst of my people, responding to their needs and cries. 

3. Farewell from Germany - 51st Ordination Anniversary

My service to the Tamils of the Tea Plantations

1. MY PRIESTLY LIFE & HUMANITARIAN SERVICES 


1. TO TAMILS OF THE HILL COUNTRY 

The long Journey starts soon after my ordination to priesthood on 16.12.1966. By God‘s design my priestly life from the beginning has taken a path seek the aid of German catholics to help the Tamils of the Hill country in Sri Lanka. Soon after my ordination as priest on 16.12.1966 I leave for Germany to celebrate my first mass called Primitz in german, in the Parish of St.Lucia in Immekeppel of the archdiocese of Cologne on the 1st of Jan.1967.

On the 6th Jan. my birthday and feast of Epiphany when the children dressed up as 3 kings go round singing and collecting aid for childrens in the missions.Out of curiosity I join them during the whole day – filled with cold and snow- This action is called Sternsingeraktion in german.

I returned to Sri Lanka in 1967 with very little knowledge of German. After my pastoral work in the Jaffna diocese, I returned to Rome for doctoral studies in 1973. With a view to read my favorite german theologians, I wanted to study the german language.I went to Rome again in 1973 for my doctoral studies. During the 1974 summer vacation I went to Bamberg along with other priest-students from Rome to study German. I did not attend the full course of 8 weeks but only 4 weeks because Bishop Deogupillai came to Germany and needed my help



2. 1975 Fr.Wilhelm Rang invites me from Rome to Nierst for holiday replacement

. Hence during the 1975 summer vacation I went to Nierst St,Cyriacus invied by Fr. W.Rang for 2 months. Fr Rang went to Sri Lanka for his holidays and I took over his duties in Nierst, staying with the family of Heinz and Kathy Hendrix. 



RANG GETS NEW PARISH ST.PETER‘S UERDINGEN, STARTS SPH

•In 1981, Fr.Rang transferred to a bigger parish of St:Peter in Uerdingen. He was reluctant to move, but I encouraged him to take over.

•Already in Kandy, Sri Lanka, I used to fly to Germany and replace Rang when he goes on holidays. I paid my flights from the money I earned.

•My german language and connections to German parishoners improved and awakened interest on the welfare of the estate population.

3. FR.WILHELM RANG & SELF BECOME LIFE-LONG PARTNERS TO HEP Estate-TAMILS

During my 2nd stay in Rome for doctoral studies, I visit Fr.Rang during summer vacation and help in his parish. From 1976, He started visiting Sri Lanka for his holidays. Based in Kandy and having a Volswagon I help him during his stay in Sri Lanka.From his little   parish St.Cyriacus in Nierst and from his school where he was a religion teacher, he sent money and clothes to help Wathamulla, From 1976 -1986, we built a Kindergarten with Sr.Anunciata and a teacher living there to help children during day time and adult education in the evenings.  At least once a month on a Sunday I load 100 pounds of bread on my car and drive to Wathamulla for mass and meetings.

4, Waththamulla Estate Project 1976-1986

Sister Emerentiana of the Holy Family nuns helped me and my visiting friend priest Fr.Wilhelm Rang of Aachen diocese in Germany to focus attention on the needs of a small village called Wattamulla near Ragala. Workers were without work. Since I was visiting regularly Fr Rangs parish in Germany, along with Sr.Emerentiana and Fr Rang, I thought of helping the people and children of Waththamulla. I used to get about 100 pounds of bread in Kandy and drive to Wathamulla to say sunday mass and distribute bread for the people. Fr. Rang collected some money and clothes from his parishoners in Nierst and send them to Sri Lanka. I go to Colombo, clear the parcels at the post office and take them to Wathamulla. Realising their basic need for sanitation and water, I got 5 squatting toilets and water pumps near the church. within a month, some have put stones into the toilettes others have removed the taps and sold them. I realised my mistake! People do not understand the value of these things. Hence I built a kindergarten, brought a nun Sr.Annunciata and a girl-teacher to stay at Wathamulla and help children during the day and give some basic instruction to elders in the evenings. For ten years I did this till 1986.
Since I was leaving Ampitiya and going to Jaffna as Rector of St.Francis Xavier's major seminary, and not able to visit Waththamulla regularly I closed the project. There was about 20,000 Deutschmark in the account of the project. The Parish Council of Nierst, where Fr.Rang was earlier Parish priest, wrote to the Archbishop of Colombo about this 20,000 Dmark. Archbishop sent Fr.Malcolm Ranjith to Germany and he collected the 20,000 Dmark and used for his housig project in Negombo! What an injustice? The money was collected because of my preaching to the Germans about the tea plantation Tamils. But Fr.Ranjith used it for his people!


5. St.Peter's Home Punduloya Project 1981- 

We thought in addition to Wathamulla project e will start a home in Ampitiya closer to my seminary for the education of girls from the estates. The Carmelite nuns had an empty old building earlier used as their novitiate. The offered this place. I renovated this old house roof, steps etc for dormitory and study hall and made furniture to take in students into this home. Since Fr.Rang was coming almost every year with one or two friends for his holidays to Sri Lanka, I used to help him around with my Volkswagon car and discuss the welfare of the estate people. During my visits to his parish I used to give talks to his parishoners and parish council.