The welfare of
our country and our people being one of our primary
concerns, the present political crisis cannot fail
to cause anxiety and draw our urgent attention. This
crisis has drawn the attention not only of our own
Sri Lankan community but that of the whole world.
The most serious concern
of the people at this moment, is the future of the
Peace Process and the resulting possibility of a collapse
of an economy struggling to grow. The serious consequences
thereof could be the continuation of the racial conflict
with its disastrous effects on the whole country and
the people, to whatever community, caste or creed
they may belong.
Hence as responsible
citizens and leaders of our religious community we
appeal to the President, the Prime Minister and other
leaders of political parties to seriously consider
an immediate resolution to this problem through dialogue
and compromise. It is our firm conviction that the
present impasse could be resolved only by co-habitation
and not by confrontation.
Therefore, on behalf
of the people we represent, and all other people of
goodwill, we appeal both to the Governing party and
the Opposition in parliament to make every effort
in the name of our suffering people to explore the
possibility of a Government of Consensus which we
have always advocated, even long before the present
crisis.
It is evident that
the that the people of this country are divided more
or less equally in their loyalty to the two major
groups in power. This is clearly seen from the results
of the elections we have been having in the recent
years. Hence the only salvation for the country lies
in the co-operation and collaboration between the
two major political alliances for the sake of peace
and the welfare of our people.
This moment of crisis
calls for strong courage, conviction and foresight
on the part of the leadership to resist both political
pressure and private greed, to place the welfare of
the nation as their foremost concern.
As Catholics
we believe in the power of prayer. Therefore we appeal
to all our Faithful to pray earnestly these days for
a change of heart on the part of our leaders, so that
they would get reconciled and work in collaboration,
to effect a peaceful and just resolution of this problem
and other problems that have been vexing the nation
already long years.
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