Inter-Religious Council to sort out disputes

by E. Weerapperuma

President Mahinda Rajapakse has assured the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL) that he would establish an Inter-Religious Council to sort out conflicts arising from religious issues. The President made this pledge when he met members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference at Temple Tress on Friday.

CBCSL Secretary-General Rt. Rev. Dr. Marius Peiris, the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo Diocese told the Daily News that the "discussion was very informal, person to person and cordial".

Bishop Peiris said at the outset, Kandy Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Viany Fernando, the CBCSL President on behalf of the Bishops of Sri Lanka congratulated President Rajapakse on his election as the fifth. Executive Head of Sri Lanka and also referred to the "the enormous and onerous" task placed on him as the Executive President.

They assured him their blessings to successfully carry out his endeavours.

The Bishops also welcomed the decision to retain the Religious Affairs Ministry with the President and expressed their appreciation for giving extra concessions to the poor in his maiden budget.

The Bishops had expressed their hope that what was assured to the poor in the budget would be a reality.

Bishop Peiris said the discussion had given priority to the stalled peace process and the Bishops emphasised that the Ceasefire Agreement should be upheld. The President had informed them that he had already started discussions with Norway as the facilitator in taking the peace-process forward and to discuss its present situation with the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam.

"We were satisfied on the initial steps taken by the President in meeting with the leaders of different political parties," the Bishop said.

At this discussion, a reference was made to a letter by Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Saundranayagam on the dangerous and volatile situation in Jaffna diocese and imminent danger and to act early upholding the Ceasefire Agreement.

The President also took up the issue of disarming the paramilitary forces and held the view that such forces should not operate in the North and East.

President Rajapakse has also informed the Bishops that he had entrusted Minister Milroy Fernando with organising events in connection with the Christmas festival.

The Bishops had expressed their desire to make Christmas a religious experience rather than an external manifestation.

Bishop Peiris said the Bishops' Conference expressed their satisfaction at the President's assurance for the establishment of the Inter-Religious Council to sort out disputes arising from religious issues.