Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 05COLOMBO1153, SRI LANKA: CHRISTIAN PASTOR RECOUNTS JUNE ATTACK

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05COLOMBO1153.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
05COLOMBO1153 2005-07-01 05:12 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Colombo
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001153 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KIRF PHUM CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: CHRISTIAN PASTOR RECOUNTS JUNE ATTACK 
 
REF: COLOMBO 921 
 
------ 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1.  (U) Poloffs and POL FSN traveled to Ambalangoda in Galle 
district on June 28 to follow up a reported attack on an 
Assembly of God property on June 5 and 6. Pastor Yogesh 
Mudalige of the Assembly of God church complained that 
police, despite being made aware of the June 5 attack, failed 
to prevent the June 6 attack, or to offer adequate protection 
to the pastor and his family from the attackers.  As of the 
date of poloffs' visit to Ambalangoda, the pastor was unable 
to safely occupy or use the new property.  The June 5-6 
attack is one of several dozen against Christian 
organizations that have occurred over the past year. 
Although several arrests were made in this particular case, 
general police reluctance to pursue such cases helps foster 
an atmosphere of impunity for the perpetrators of such 
attacks. END SUMMARY. 
 
----------------- 
ATTACK ON THE AOG 
----------------- 
 
2.    (U) On June 28, poloffs and POL FSN visited Pastor 
Yogesh Mudalige and his brother Suresh, of the Assembly of 
God (AOG) church at their residence in Ambalangoda in Galle 
district.  Pastor Yogesh's current residence also serves as 
the location for AOG church services, where the typical 
congregation size is approximately 100 persons.  Pastor 
Yogesh's new property, which was to serve as a personal 
residence and a non-religious community center, incorporating 
both a preschool and computer training center, was attacked 
on June 5 and 6 by local villagers. 
 
3.    (U) According to Yogesh, on the evening of June 
5--three days after he acquired the property--some villagers 
began throwing bottles at the house.  The pastor informed the 
police and although the police allowed him to file a 
complaint, they did not immediately investigate the 
disturbance. 
 
4.    (U) On the morning of June 6, the pastor and his 
brother were installing a bathroom in the new property when a 
crowd of approximately 30 approached them and began an 
argument.  The villagers reportedly warned the pastor not to 
build a church on the new property and attacked the house, 
breaking the windows and tearing down the fence.  (Comment: 
While no monks were present during the attacks, the pastor 
and his brother allege that the attack was planned at the 
local Buddhist temple and that the local head monk was 
responsible for instigating the mob.  End Comment.)  The mob 
grew larger and assaulted the pastor, his brother, and the 
assistant pastor Suresh Pereira, causing all three men to 
seek medical attention for their injuries. 
 
5.    (U) The pastor's brother told poloffs that while they 
were being assaulted, members of the mob attempted to strip 
Pastor Yogesh, and in the process stole his wallet, which 
contained SLR 27,000 ($270), his mobile phone, and another 
SLR 200,000 ($2,000) from the pastor's vehicle--funds donated 
to the pastor by U.S. based Mercy Works for the new property. 
 By the time the police arrived on the scene, the three men 
had already been taken to the hospital.  The pastor told 
poloffs that they were released from the hospital the next 
day, despite having continued difficulty walking.  The pastor 
filed another formal case against the mob, naming 19 of his 
attackers for the police. 
 
-------------------- 
POLICE ON THE SCENE 
-------------------- 
 
6.    (U) During a June 28 meeting, Inspector M.C. Herath of 
the Ambalangoda police department told poloffs that the 
pastor and his brother identified only six of their 
attackers.  On June 7, the Ambalangoda police arrested those 
6, all of whom were later released on bail.  Herath told 
poloffs that during the arrest, a mob of 80-100, some of whom 
were members of the local provincial council, urged him not 
to arrest anyone.  Herath also told poloffs that when he went 
to visit the new property he found pro-Buddhist slogans 
written on the door, such as "Buddhism is the true religion," 
damage to the fence and windows, and a Buddha statue, a 
sacred Bo tree sapling, and lamps scattered throughout the 
property. (Comment: Poloffs confirmed the damage and graffiti 
at the new property.  End Comment.)   The pastor told poloffs 
he had to call higher authorities in Colombo in order to get 
the Ambalangoda police to remove the statue, the sapling, and 
the lamps from the grounds.    A hearing on the case is 
scheduled for November 28.  (Comment: Hearings are typically 
scheduled closer to the date of the incident. That the 
hearing is scheduled almost six months from the date of the 
crime could suggest some undue influence on behalf of the 
suspected attackers.  End Comment.) 
 
7.    (U) While the pastor continues to hold church services 
at his home without disturbance, both Inspector Herath and 
the pastor told poloffs it was currently unsafe to return to 
the new property.  Inspector Herath and the pastor are 
attempting to organize an interfaith meeting, which would 
include the other Christian pastors from the district, 
members of the Buddhist community, and the police, so that 
the grievances of all parties can be heard, and so that 
Pastor Yogesh can safely return to the newly-purchased 
property. 
 
--------- 
COMMENT 
--------- 
 
8.    (U) This attack is one of several dozen against 
Christian organizations that have occurred in Sri Lanka over 
the past year.  (Reftel describes a May attack in the same 
district). While police made several arrests in this 
particular case, general police unwillingness to pursue these 
cases helps create an atmosphere of impunity for the 
perpetrators of these acts. If the proposed meeting between 
the Buddhists in the village and the Christian pastors 
occurs, it could help to clear the air between the two 
communities in the village, so that both can coexist without 
fear of "unethical" conversion or persecution.  We will 
continue to monitor the progress of this case. END COMMENT. 
LUNSTEAD