The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL) has called for the nation to elect a wise and courageous leader capable of bringing long-awaited changes to the system and eradicating corruption ahead of the presidential elections on September 21.
In a statement, the bishops emphasized the importance of exercising the right to vote, reminding citizens that sovereignty belongs to the people and is inalienable, as outlined in the country’s Constitution.
Addressing the 38 presidential candidates, the bishops urged them not to mislead the electorate with false promises or favors and to carefully assess their campaign collaborators.
The CBCSL stressed the need for a leader who would govern according to democratic and moral principles rooted in the values of Sri Lanka’s four major religions, while respecting the cultural ethics of its people.
The bishops called on the candidates to take inspiration from the Christian teaching, “Not to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45), encouraging them to view power as an opportunity to serve the public.
The CBCSL also stressed the need for justice in relation to unresolved crimes, including politically motivated kidnappings, expropriations, and killings, with a particular focus on the Easter Sunday 2019 attacks that claimed 274 lives and injured around 500 people.
They insisted that those responsible must be brought to justice without any external interference.
