By Yohan Perera

Whilst warning that Sri Lanka is fast approaching the precipice of a failed state, the Catholic Bishop’s Conference requests all politicians not to indulge in senseless rhetoric but be truthful and realistic and seek expert advice from whatever quarters and adopt learnings from other countries before it’s too late to put a foundation of solid development to the nation. 

The Bishop’s Conference said this in a special statement.  “We are aware that the country is in dire straits. All successive governments to date are responsible to varying degrees for the present state of affairs. Therefore, the present government, as well as those in the opposition and partners in coalition, must adopt a conciliatory, not a confrontational approach nor play a blame game. The Executive and the Constitutional assembly is responsible, accountable and has to be transparent to those who trusted and elected them to serve the common good. Therefore, the rulers are under obligation to serve the citizens by putting the country first and not act out of political expediency but principle. They must leave political agendas aside and seek together ethical principles for good governance to make lasting national policies,” the statement said. 

“We call on all concerned to be sensitive towards the sufferings of the people, beginning with the unborn child and those on the deathbed. The unnecessary extravagant expenditure should be curtailed and provide people with essential food, medicine, cooking and industrial gas, fuel, electricity. We call on all politicians not to indulge in senseless rhetoric, but to be truthful and realistic and seek expert advice from whatever quarters and adopt learnings from other countries before it’s too late. The country is fast approaching the precipice of a failed state that will in its wake inflict people with irreversible injuries. What the country needs today is an immediate solution to remedy the critical situation and to work on short term and long term solutions to put the country on a solid foundation of sustainable development. This will ensure a secured free country for the future generations to live in dignity and a sense of belonging to the motherland,” the statement added.