Father Francis was a former principal of Jaffna’s St. Patrick’s College and had been serving with 6 other priests in Puthumaaththalan Vanni. In addition to his activities in assisting the surrender of LTTE members in the final stage, it is noteworthy that he had served as the president of the North East Education Development Committee prior to his engagements in the Vanni. At the time of his disappearance, he was reported to be 70 years of age.