Catholic Bishops were promised by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa last month that he would take all such posters down. He has, however, gone back on his promise,”
Earlier, this week, the Catholic Church issued a statement requesting the authorities to remove all political posters and cutouts with the Pope’s image.
The Church also urged political parties to refrain from using the Pope’s visit for the political campaign ahead of the presidential election.
“We feel our request is quite enough. If the people involved have any ethics and morals they will adhere to our request. And we have faith that they will,” Fr Gamini said.
Mannar’s Bishop Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph said he was against the use of the Pope’s visit for political campaign.
“The Catholic Bishops were promised by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa last month that he would take all such posters down. He has, however, gone back on his promise,” the Bishop said.
He pointed out that the Pope was a spiritual leader and should not be dragged into election propaganda activities.
“The Bishops of Sri Lanka will meet tomorrow to take up this serious issue of the pope’s picture being used in election campaigning. We will be issuing a statement on this,” he said……………… READ ALL
Jolted UPFA takes countermeasures; Maithripala campaign begins today
- Parties supporting common Opposition candidate to sign “Common Consensus”; finality being reached on name of new front and symbol
- President tells party members to beware of informants; members say brash conduct of two personalities provoked crisis
- TNA, SLMC still undecided, while Govt. reaches deal with Rishard’s ACPC
Opposition political groupings backing Maithripala Sirisena as the presidential candidate against Mahinda Rajapaksa are still in search of an identity.
Names of different political fronts and even going it alone as an independent candidate are not being ruled out as the squabble continues. The hot favourite appears to be the Apey Jathika Peramuna (AJP) or Our National Front (ONF) with the telephone as its symbol. The search by opposition leaders in consultation with groups of lawyers has been a laborious process with careful scrutiny of the polls laws in force…………………. READ ALL