Sri Lanka must return to normal. We need peace

The Methodist bishop of Colombo invites the country's political leaders to put aside ethnic and religious differences to help the population to restart after the Easter attacks. The re-opening of the schools is fundamental: "Without lessons, how can our children face the exams?"

Colombo (AsiaNews) - After the last Easter terrorist attacks "the time has come for Sri Lankan political leaders to put aside any divergence and work together to rebuild the confidence of the population and restore the country to normality" stated the Methodist bishop of Colombo, Rev. Asiri Perera, during a press conference held two days ago.

According to the bishop, "politicians, at every level, must forget the ethnic and religious differences that have poisoned the climate in recent years. You must understand the true reality of the present, because citizens live in pain, fear and anger ”. 

The proclamations and opinions expressed in recent days "must end, we have enough. Now we need something more, something that is really incisive. We must meet those who are anxiously waiting to overcome the problems caused by those explosions that have taken away so many lives".

In particular, Asiri Perera emphasizes the problem of schools: "At the end of the month our children have to sign their application for the examination which will be held in December, but the schools are closed due to security problems. How can they have an adequate preparation? For a parent, children are the greatest good: their importance cannot be given a value. I therefore call on all those responsible to sit around a table with the families and discuss how the situation can be restarted ".

After the Easter tragedy, adds the Methodist bishop, "the great responsibility shown by the religious leaders of Sri Lanka must be underlined. In a particular way I would like to thank the Catholic archbishop of Colombo, card. Ranjith, for the way he behaved in the light of the attacks. Especially for his invitation to maintain peace in the nation. Buddhist monks and other Christian denominations should also be praised: we must be united, as one family, and move forward ”.

In conclusion, Perera invites Christians to hold their religious rites in churches "starting next Sunday". The reference is to the closing of Christian places of worship, decided for the safety of the faithful: "We witness our Christian faith also by returning to our churches".