Six Bishops call for solutions to burning issues

(February 09, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Six Bishops of Sri Lanka have requested the government to take steps to solve the country's burning issues including the devolution of power, good governance, media freedom and economic development.

Issuing a joint communique, the Bishops stated that steps should be taken to grant equal rights to those who are vulnerable, ensure the independence of the judiciary and to eradicate poverty.

According to the release, the value of an election can only be determined by evaluating the prominence given to the needs of the people by all candidates.

The release pointed out that no one has the right to work for their personal gain or work according to their own personal agendas.

Bishop of Jaffna, the most reverend Doctor Thomas Saundaranayagam; Bishop of Mannar, the most reverend Doctor Rayappu Joseph; Bishop of Trincomalee, the most reverend Doctor Kingsley Swamipillai; Bishop of Anuradhapura, the most reverend Norbert Andradi; Bishop of the Colombo Diocese of the Church of Ceylon most reverend Duleep De Chikera and Bishop of the Kurunegala Diocese of the Church of Ceylon, the most reverend Kumara Ilangasinghe, are the signatories to the release.

The release adds that a majority of Sri Lankans are disappointed with the three trends witnessed during election campaigning.

It pointed out that personal mud slinging campaigns were pursued continuously while the situation was aggravated by inappropriate media propaganda.

According to the release, intimidating candidates, political party supporters and journalists who expressed their views freely, subsequent to the election, is an unfavourable trend.

Furthermore it states that the police have a responsibility of preventing such acts and investigating them, while it also notes that it is the responsibility of political, civil and religious leaders to provide security and justice to all.

The release adds that the public statement made by the Elections Commissioner seconded the violations of elections of laws.

It says that questions should be raised bout the quality of the leadership in the country due to the exorbitant sums of money spent on election propaganda activities unlike never before; during a time attempts are being made to eradicate poverty and provide relief to the internally displaced.

The Bishops request political leaders to take steps to rectify these unjust trends through codes of conduct regulated by them, as the country nears a general election.

Meanwhile the release pointed out that the country should pay due attention towards the silence observed by a majority of Tamil people who refrained from thousands failed to cast their vote due to the lack of transportation facilities.

It concludes by saying that judging by the behavior of those who could have cast their vote but didn’t, the Tamil people have failed to place their trust in an election where only two main candidates paid little attention to solve their issues.