Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Fides Service) - Peace and religious freedom are the main focus of a message issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka in view of general elections on 2 April. The message was signed by Archbishop Oswald Gomis Colombo and Auxiliary of Colombo, Bishop Marius Peiris, respectively president and secretary general of the Conference.
The political in Sri Lanka situation precipitated when, following an institutional dispute between Premier Ranil Wickremasinghe and President Chandrika Kumaratunga, on 7 February the President dismissed parliament and called early elections. The crisis arose from a difference of opinions on how to handle Tamil rebels with which the government signed a peace agreement in 2002, putting an end to twenty years of civil war.
Moreover in January Sri Lanka was the scene of unrest by Buddhists fundamentalists groups which attacked Christians and Christian institutions causing tension and social confusion.
Intervening the Bishops say the Catholic community it determined to support the peace process in the country and that it is committed for a united Sri Lanka, power sharing and harmonious coexistence among the people in respect and dignity. “We firmly believe that the people want to use the opportunity of the vote to say to the government which will go to power to support the peace process ”, the Bishops say.
The Bishops also voice concern for increased interreligious tension in Sri Lanka “a tendency instigated and manipulated by radical forces which threaten our basic rights to religious freedom”. The Bishops call on voters to elect candidates committed to defending human rights of all citizens.
“Our nation needs leaders who will protect and promote the dignity of the human person, the values of the family, human rights and who will work for the progress of the country. They should be persons of great moral integrity with profound respect for the rights of all citizens ”.
The Bishops appeal to political leaders “not to use ethnic or religious differences as a tool for division for short term political ends”. Seeds of intolerance and hatred - the Bishops warn - can have lasting consequences on society already fragmented. The Bishops underline the role of the media, state or private: they must act with a “great sense of responsibility, presenting only the truth”.
The Bishops call on political leaders to respect the values of pluralism, “in word and deed”, and to work for good government in the ambit of policies based on honesty and integrity.
The Bishops say they hope the vote will be transparent, impartial, free of prejudice, violence or intimidation and they call on voters to exercise their right and to vote with diligence, a fact which will play an important role in the democratic system which allows citizens to choose their representatives. The Bishops end with a call that Sri Lanka may have a just and worthy leadership “at the critical time of its history”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/3/2004 lines 51 words 563)
