Colombo, religious leaders against Rajapaksa clan: 'Resign'

Yesterday, the president opened to the resignation of his brother and started the process for the formation of a bipartisan national council. Meanwhile, the people are experiencing an "unprecedented" crisis related to political, economic and social "instability." Leaders of the various faiths urge leaders to "liberate" the nation and encourage renewal, starting with essential changes to the Constitution.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The people of Sri Lanka are experiencing an "unprecedented" crisis and a "catastrophic collapse" linked to "instability" exacerbated by the lack of foreign currency, corruption, injustice and divisions between communities for mere political and personal gain. This is what the island's religious leaders denounce in a desperate cry of alarm, in a united call - gathering the protests of the people - for the mass resignation of government and institutional leaders, including the president and prime minister.

In a joint statement, the Interfaith Relations Committee, the National Interfaith Committee and the Religious Coalition for Coexistence revive popular discontent and call for an end to an oppressive climate that is dragging the country into anarchy. 

In response to the protests, yesterday the president decided to remove his brother from the post of prime minister and to create an interim government, to unlock the crisis and calm the street protests. A national council should be born soon, which will then indicate the future prime minister and a government team of broad agreement, including all parties in Parliament as explained by MP Maithripala Sirisena at the end of the meeting with the Head of State. 

Returning to the protest, for the religious leaders it is in their common interest to "liberate" the nation from the Rajapaksa rule, in favor of an elected government and the result of a general and generational renewal of the ruling class. Dhammajothi Nayaka Thero, of the Asgiriya chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya, recalls the damage caused by political leaders, including the two brothers, not only in the last two years but for a long time and which have impoverished a country rich in resources. They must answer for this damage in order to lay the groundwork for a general reconstruction of Sri Lanka.

Professor Siam Maha Nikaya, Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha, recalls the massive street protests of recent days, with the demand for the resignation of the Premier and the President. "We ask them," he adds, "to listen to the religious leaders and remit with dignity. And we ask to allow the rise of a new leadership." All religious leaders, adds the general secretary of Attangane Sasanaratana Nayaka Thero Ramanna Maha Nikaya, "including Card. Malcolm Ranjith have made it clear that the current leadership must go." 

The Venerable Sasanaratana Nayaka Thero hopes for a new leadership appointed to lead an interim government, whose first objective is the amendment of Article 20 of the Constitution, already rejected by the international community and a means to create a system of dictatorial nature. A rule harshly criticized, which ends up granting more powers to the president than those assigned to the executive. The religious leader also calls for the immediate application of the 19th amendment of the Charter. 

At the forefront of the protest are numerous Christian figures, including Bishop Asiri Perera, former president of the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka. Heedless of the preaching and advice given to them by religious leaders," he says, "they have continued to act for their own personal gain. That is why we today, as religious leaders, have created this platform, to say once again that these political leaders have no right to remain in power."

"The young generations - concludes Sheikh Arkham Noorani Moulavi, of the All Ceylon Jamiathul Ulama (Acju) Islamic movement - are living the current situation with great hope. They did not take the field to fight for personal gain. They can't stay at home. But they can't go to work in the office either. There is no electricity. There's no gas. No formula for the kids, not even food. Proper leadership should be able to anticipate these crises, but they can't even provide the essentials."

• Sri lanka
• christians
• buddhists
• political crisis
• economy