Rev.Sr. Eliza released on Bail

| by A Special Correspondent in Colombo

(December 02, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Rev. Sr. Mary Eliza is the first MC Sister to be imprisoned in the whole world, since Blessed Mother Teresa started the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Charity, serving poorest of the poor. On Friday night 25th Nov. around 11.00 pm, some police officers and Officers from National Child Protection Authority had arrested the superior of the Convent, Rev. Sr. Mary Eliza and imprisoned her at Welikada Prison. There are nearly 760 Convents with 5040 Rev. Sisters of Mother Teresa serving in the whole world.

Very Rev. Sr. Prema MC, Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of Charity (Mother Teresa's Sisters) arrived on 27th November, in Sri Lanka, having heard that one of her Sisters, Sr. Eliza had been arrested by the Police and put her in the Weliikada Prisons. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo received her at the Katunayake airport. His Eminence conveyed that the Sri Lankan Catholic Church is deeply concerned about the arrest of Rev. Sr. Mary Eliza and the way National Child Protection Authority and the Police has acted to find out information about "Perm Nivesa".

On 23rd November. a team of National Children Protection Authority (NCPA) Chairman, Ms. Anoma Disanayaka along with some police officers had started investigating the children and mothers present in the Rawathawatta House, run by the Missionary Sisters. On 26Th night, police arrested the Superior of the Perm Nivasa, Sr.Eliza and two other sisters of the house, but when produced before the magistrate, Sr. Eliza was remanded and put on Welikada Remand Prison and the other two sisters were relased.Sr. Eliza was not allowed to take legal redress by keeping a lawyer when she was produced at the Magistrate’s bungalow outside Colombo, in the night.

Rev. Sr. Johannes MC, Provincial of the Missionary Sisters in Sri Lanka, said that NCPA has closely working with the Prem Nivasa sisters re, children in the house to take care of them, and also have received relevant permission of the Department of Probation to look after these children. "We never involve in selling these precious lives of the children and never take money for any of our work. According to the laws of the country, children are given for adoption only through a legal procedure, but never sell their lives. Our sisters have asked permission of the prison officers to allow food to be given from the convent for remanded sister, but it was turned down and the sister is also put into the common apartment along with the other remand personnel, She further said.

The CID officers and Media went to "Prem Nivasa" on suspicion that they are engaged in child trafficking after receiving an anonymous tip via an emergency hotline. Some media reported that the Sisters have been selling children and one news paper published an article accusing the Rev. Sisters of selling the future of the country to foreigners for few thousand rupees. Through that article the writer is trying arouse the feelings and anger of the ordinary People.

Fr. Tyrone Perera, in charge of Rawatawatta parish, speaking to U-can.com said media reports to that effect were incorrect.

He said the place looks after, irrespective of religious and other differences, pregnant women, who had wanted to have abortions.

He said none of the children were sold, adding that adoptions are allowed with parents’ consent and through court proceedings only.

IGP N.K. Illangakoon has said that there are no indications that a children’s home at Rawatawatte in Moratuwa had conceal a child farm. He has told Neth FM Radio that no evidence has found so far to determine the place had sold small children as claimed, according to media reports.

Thousands of people are praying for justice and truth together with thousands of Missionary Sisters around the world. according to news published in international news agencies. The mission has seven more such places in the country – Shanthi in Matara, Apeksha in Galle, Daya in Kandy, Meth in Kurunegala, Karuna in Kurunegala, Anpaham in Vavuniya and Ataithillam in Jaffna., doing a noble service to the poor of the poorest people in Srilanka. The Colombo Magistrates Court on 28Th Nov. released Sister Eliza on bail who was alleged to have suppressed information to the National Child Protection Authority regarding two girls in the home, on Rs. 7500 cash bail with two sureties of Rs 50,000.