Caritas Sri Lanka hosts pre-election forum

More than one hundred Catholic clergy and religious, including Catholic and Anglican Bishops, throughout Sri Lanka gathered at Caritas Sri Lanka in Colombo for a pre-election forum with the two main presidential candidates.

The meeting designed to allow Christian leaders an opportunity to dialogue with Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, who was invited at 10 am and UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was invited at 12 noon was chaired by Caritas Sri Lanka Director Fr. Damian Fernando.

Unfortunately Rajapakse was unable to attend the meeting due to security concerns. In his absence, his economics advisor, Ajit Niwad Kabral conveyed his sincere apologies, and read the Prime Minister's pre-prepared speech.

As a Buddhist, Premier Rajapakse believes in tolerance. "I am a strong adherent to the principle of tolerance."According to his speech he has never been a supporter of extremism, and is committed to dispelling fears and doubts in order to bring lasting peace.

As much as the Prime Minister has been influenced by the teachings of the Buddha, he has also been influenced by Jesus Christ's teaching that 'thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself',according to his speech.

In his message to the meeting, via Kabral, the Premier welcomed the Catholic Bishops' Conference statement of last week urging the electorate to consider the candidates' manifestos when exercising their franchise.

He also noted the Bishops' expression of gratitude to President Chandrika Kumaratunga for her protection of religious freedom.

If Rajapakse wins the election he promised to establish an inter-religious council to advise the Head of State on religious issues. Christian Affairs Minister Milroy Fernando and Minister for Commerce Jayaraj Fernandopulle also attended the meeting, in the absence of the Prime Minister.

UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the forum accompanied by former Ministers John Amaratunga and Jayalath Jayawardena.

He invited those present to take the opportunity to clarify any issues arising from his published manifesto, People's Agenda. In response, clergy and religious raised key issues facing the nation,including ehtnic conflict and the peace process,inter- religious dialogue,electoral reform, corruption, tsunami rehabilitation,women and education. To begin one priest said that having read the candidate's manifesto, he was concerned about how inequality between the rich and the poor would be decreased under Wickremesinghe's presidency.

In response, the UNP candidate said that inequality will grow if money is being spent on fighting a war.Basic needs such as housing, sanitation,transport and irrigation will continue to be neglected if the conflict is not resolved, he said. "You cannot have equality and development unless there is an end to the war."

Fr. Mervyn Fernando, founder director of Subodhi, Piliyandala, gave a number of suggestions regarding progressing peace and building harmony among the different communities. He urged the candidate to consider "a grass roots movement of people meeting face to face" through a National Social Services Youth Corps. If people are alienated you cannot expect a constitutional solution to work out, he said.

As a solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic problem, Fr Fernando urged an end to confrontational politics through constitutional changes.

In reply Wickremesinghe said he accepted the need for "people to people contact" but he stressed the importance of the outcome of the peace process because "it will give us the structure of the State". Replying to further questions about the ceasefire and the peace process, the UNP candidate said that his party needed to talk to the LTTE, but first it must talk to the SLFP.

The UNP candidate also said he has already suggested an inter-religious council which would deal with religious issues. In response to a question concerning ending corruption among officials, Wickremesinghe said there was a need to introduce new legislation and to restructure the Bribery Commission.

"We also need a Good Governance Council, and I need to set an example myself," he said. A number of Catholic nuns raised women's issues, in particular the representation of women in parliament.

The Opposition Leader said he supported electoral system reforms and a minimum of 30 per cent representation of women in representative bodies.

He also drew attention to the dearth of women in managerial positions, and said he proposes that 40 per cent of such positions be held by women.

With regard to the resettlement of tsunami affected, Wickremesinghe said he would appoint a single authority to coordinate with non-governmental organisations, and that he would maintain the lifting of the 100m rule.

Regarding plantation workers, he said he favoured giving ownership of houses. "I want a land-owning society and a house-owning society," he said.

Fr Benedict Joseph asked if he had any specific plans to ensure that the State media would serve the nation, as the people's media.

The UNP candidate said he would lay down media guidelines if he became President. Finally, Wickremesinghe was asked whether he would be happy to participate in future forums of this nature if he was elected President. He responded positively.