Bishops in Sri Lanka have issued a statement to the government, expressing their concern over violence in northern Sri Lanka and at rising numbers of civilian casualties caused by the government’s offensive against the rebel Tamil Tiger group.

A UN report said that dozens of civilians had been killed in the latest offensive, with 52 being killed in one day. There was also a report of cluster bombs hitting a hospital in the town of Puthukkudiyiruppu, however the Sri Lankan army denied any responsibility.

The Sri Lankan government claims that it has nearly defeated the rebels after more than 20 years of civil war. The government recently took control of the town of Mullaitivu, the last north-eastern stronghold of the Tamil Tigers.

The Anglican Bishops of Colombo and Kurunegala, the Rt Rev Duleep de Chickera and the Rt Rev Kumara Ilangasinghe respectively, together with three Roman Catholic bishops, have issued a statement deploring the violence towards civilians.

The statement said that the killing of civilians was a “cause for serious regret, and cannot be justified in any war, especially in a war amongst the people of the same country”, reports Church Times.

The Bishops warned of “a real danger that the rate of civilian casualties could increase even more”.

“We therefore earnestly appeal to the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to review their styles of combat that are more likely to endanger trapped civilians.

“We also appeal to the LTTE that the presence of trapped civilians should not be used to gain military advantage. There should be no restriction of the civilians’ right to life and movement.”

According to Christian Aid, there are around 230,000 civilians trapped by the fighting, with little access to food or shelter.

Robin Greenwood, head of Christian Aid’s Asia division said that it was essential not only to protect people from immediate danger but also to “ensure rights to a dignified life and a decent livelihood in the long run”.

Since the beginning of the war in 1983, it is estimated that around 70,000 have been killed in the violence whilst thousands more have been displaced.

Last Saturday, over 100,000 Tamils in London were reported to have demonstrated in support of Tamil civilians whose lives have been impacted by the war.

Christians in Sri Lanka are currently opposing a proposed anti-conversion Bill, to prevent forced conversions, amid fears it could be used to harass religious communities. According to the proposed legislation anyone who converts to another religion would need to report to a government official.