2017-03-14 15:15:00

Sri Lankan monks, bishops propose religious councils


Top religious leaders in Sri Lanka have suggested ways to improve national unity and reconciliation ahead of a proposed new constitution.

The 30-year civil war that ended in 2009 was fought between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils.

Mano Ganeshan, Minister of National Co-existence and National Languages welcomed the initiative to form religious councils and said he would submit the proposal to the cabinet.

The government will present the new constitution to parliament this year but the minister said they were still drafting the constitution and were not yet finished.

Venerable Bellanwila Wimalarathana Nayaka Thero, a Buddhist monk, said he  would propose a mechanism of religious councils to be set up at the divisional, district and national levels to promote national unity and reconciliation.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo, addressing the council, said religious leaders must focus on helping the people in the Tamil-dominated north and east, who have suffered a lot.

Retired Anglican Bishop Dulip de Chikera said that an improved criminal justice system would also increase peace.(UCAN)








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