Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brussels (Agenzia Fides) - “The religious leaders have come together for the good of the nation. On the important issues, on crucial questions that concern the afflicted Sri Lankan nation, the religious leaders are showing unity and harmony,” Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo told Agenzia Fides, in commenting on the tour being made by the Sri Lankan delegation of religious leaders in Europe in recent days (see Fides 5/11/2009).
“We have pleaded with the European Union regarding the economic accords established at the time of the tsunami in our country. We hope that they will not be revoked, as this would undermine the effort for reconstruction, peace, and stability in our beloved country,” the Archbishop said.
He refers to trade accords made in 2004 between the European Union and Sri Lanka following the tsunami. The Union had decided to support the country economically through the “Generalized System of Preferences Plus” (GSP Plus), which called for an easier access for the European market to the textile industry of Sri Lanka, the main livelihood of the national economy. The EU now threatens to revoke the accords for a lack of clarifications from Colombo on human rights violations carried out by the Sri Lankan Army during the war.
Archbishop Ranjith tells Fides why these trade accords are, according to religious leaders, linked to the important issue of national peace and reconciliation and the future of the country after its civil war. “Maintaining these economic accords, which favor Sri Lankan textile products, would help favor a financial income that would be useful in reconstructing the areas destroyed in the war, where there is a lack of roads, schools, hospitals, and homes for the internally displaced people. These funds could help over 200,000 Tamil refugees return to a normal life. This is a fundamental step in national reconciliation and for establishing social peace. This is why we are asking Europe not to abandon us, in spite of their concern for the respect of human rights.”
“We think that the success of our request is around 40%,” comments the Archbishop, who has helped organize what religious leaders have called a “peace mission.”
The delegation has presented the appeal for peace to Pope Benedict XVI, asking that the Holy See intervene before European governments for the cause of their mission. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/11/2009)
