by Melani Manel Perera

The pope's visit has great value even for Sri Lanka's non-Christian communities. For a Buddhist teacher, "Sri Lankans have to think as a single nationality, regardless of ethnicity, faith or caste." For Muslim activist, "our political and religious leaders should follow his example."

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Some Sri Lankan Buddhists and Muslims hope that Pope Francis's visit to their country will help its people overcome ethnic and religious differences, and make them feel as they belong to one country.

In what was once called Ceylon, Buddhists are the majority religion (76.7 per cent), followed by Muslims (8.5 per cent), Hindus (7.9 per cent) and Catholics (6.1 per cent).  AsiaNews spoke to some non-Christians to see what the pontiff's visit, which began this morning, means to them.

Pope Francis' trip to Sri Lanka "is a blessing," said Dr Pushpa Ramlani, a Buddhist and professor of social sciences in Colombo.

"I attended high school at St Ursula's Convent in Badulla and I was raised to respect all religions, cultures and ethnic groups. Even my parents, who are Buddhist like me, taught me the same. If we wish to live in peace and harmony in our country, then we have to work together - we members of different religions and ethnic groups. Jesus taught us to love our neighbour like ourselves. "

To do this, the social scientist told AsiaNews that "we Sri Lankans have to think as a single nationality, regardless of ethnicity, faith or caste. Our first priority must be to [create] a pluralistic society. And I truly believe that even the pope wishes the same for us."

"As a Buddhist," said Dinasena Rathugamage, a journalist from Vavuniya, "I have great respect for Pope Francis, because he is the spiritual leader of millions of Catholics in the world. He is an example to follow, not only for what he says, but for how he acts in life."

For him, Sri Lankan political leaders "should follow what the pope said today, when the Holy Father noted that the 'process of healing also needs to include the pursuit of truth, not for the sake of opening old wounds, but rather as a necessary means of promoting justice, healing and unity'."

"We love this pope too, because he was able to be critical and take the necessary steps to solve some scandals," said Abdul Rasak, a Muslim human rights activist originally from Kurunegala.

"In doing so, he showed that even the Church can undergo social transformation. This is a good lesson for all of us - our political and religious leaders should follow his example."

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• lanka
• pope
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• non-christians