Colombo (AsiaNews) – "The difficult situation in Sri Lanka must be dealt with by all citizens calmly and with a willingness to collaborate, since peace in society is not just about reaching agreements with Tamil (Tigers) but also about finding solutions to various socio-economic issues facing the country," Colombo's auxiliary bishop, Msgr. Marius Spirit, told AsiaNews.  

Regarding the results of today's elections, the auxiliary bishop said "most Sinhalese believe that a strong majority for either of the two parties will not win the elections and thus Parliament will be remain at a deadlock, despite whoever proves victorious. 

"However, Sinhalese want both parties to work together, notwithstanding the election outcome. They want problems to be resolved as soon as possible, in addition to that of making peace with the Tamil (rebels). The greatest social problems facing the country are widespread poverty, unemployment and the fact that public funds are exhausted after having spent so much money over the years on war."    

Last year the Catholic Church and evangelical pastors were accused of "immoral behavior" for certain catechetical roles and functions faith they were carrying out. However, the archbishop of Colombo, Msgr. Oswald Thomas Colman Gomis, after having ruled out any unethical comportment by Church members, said: "I have urged everyone to remain calm, including the government, since we must always strive toward peaceful unity and mutual respect at all costs. Sri Lanka needs a unifying spirit of peace and not further factors for division."

 "And this is the spirit that the bishop of Batticaloa, Msgr. Joseph Kinsley Swampillai, has shown upon immediately proposing himself on Friday as a mediator between both Tamil factions," said Archbishop Spirit. Last Friday Rajan Sathiyamoorthy, National Tamil Alliance candidate, was killed. He was an ally of Colonel Karuna. "We hope that his invitation to peace will be successful and that both parties are able to overcome their division," the prelate said.  

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