NGO Urges Pope to Reconsider Visit to Sri Lanka
ROME, Dec. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- European Union for Public Relations in a letter to the Pope's office issued the following statement:
To
H.E. Federico Lombardi
Director
Holy See Press Office
26th December 2014
Dear H.E Lombardi,
"Religion is very important for us Catholics. I have read recently (articles attached) that Elections in Sri Lanka are scheduled for January 2015 and our Pope is going to visit right after the elections. There is considerable consternation amongst political analysts and civil society activists in Sri Lanka on whether the ongoing Presidential elections in the country would be free and fair, and more importantly free of violence. Present trends indicate that the contest between current incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his challenger, SLFP General Secretary and former Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena is likely to be too close to call.
In the event of a stalemate, resulting out of rigging and stuffing of ballot boxes by current regime, post-poll violence would be a distinct possibility as an emboldened opposition is unlikely to acquiesce with a hijacking of the people's verdict. Under these circumstances, the proposed visit by our Pope to Sri Lanka (13th - 15th January 2015) is fraught with uncertainty and would disappoint the significant Catholic population in the country.
It would be necessary for the Vatican to therefore call upon President Mahinda Rajapaksa to ensure a free and fair election and respect the verdict of the people to create an enjoining atmosphere for the eagerly awaited visit of the Pope to Sri Lanka."
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ngo-urges-pope-to-reconsider-visit-to-sri-lanka-300013999.html
SOURCE European Union for Public Relations
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