On the eve of the vote on 21 September, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka (SBCSL) and the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) have asked the 32 candidates not to deceive with favours or false promises and warned them to ‘serve, not be served’. The importance of the vote, which is ‘precious’ and should not be wasted with a boycott or a spoiled vote.
Colombo () – “The nation needs a wise and courageous leader who will introduce long-awaited changes to the system to eradicate corruption and the evils associated with it,” said the Sri Lanka Bishops’ Conference (CBSSL) in a statement, calling on the population to vote in the presidential elections scheduled for 21 September. A call shared and relaunched by the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), according to which going to the polls is a civic duty that must be exercised responsibly. Because, as the Constitution states, sovereignty “belongs to the people,” is “inalienable” and includes “the powers of government and fundamental rights” to protect every citizen.
In the run-up to the election, the bishops then address the 32 presidential candidates, urging them not to mislead the electorate with favours and false promises, and to carefully evaluate their collaborators and those involved in the campaign in view of the vote. In addition, the CBCSl invites all registered voters to cast their ballots to elect a leader “who will govern the country according to democratic and moral ideals, based on the values of the four main religions of the island, while also respecting the cultural ethics of its people.”
The document states that, as religious leaders, “we invite presidential candidates to find inspiration in Jesus’ sacred axiom: ‘Not to be served, but to serve’ (Mark 10:45). It is an invitation to practice power as service,” continues the note from the Episcopal Conference, which then addresses the electorate, reminding them of the desire for justice and the importance of thoroughly investigating property expropriations, kidnappings and politically motivated killings. This is an open wound in some areas in particular, such as in the north and east due to years of war, combined with civil unrest in the south and the still unpunished massacre of Christians on Easter Sunday 2019. “All perpetrators must be identified and prosecuted according to the laws of the country and no one must be allowed to interfere in the process of seeking justice for the 274 victims killed and the approximately 500 people injured, some very seriously,” the bishops conclude.
Meanwhile, the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) also intervened in the presidential elections by directly addressing candidates and voters, highlighting 11 points that concern unresolved social, economic and political issues. The Christian movement urges voters to carefully consider whether candidates are involved in criminal proceedings or offences, violation of human rights, racism, corruption or violation of electoral law. In the note, they insist on the importance of the vote, which is “precious”, and therefore counterproductive options “although used in the past” should be avoided, such as boycott or spoiled vote, which some want to use as an act of protest.
“This has also happened in the past. The NCCSL recognises that such campaigns can be based on disappointment and frustration at the unwillingness and inability of those elected,” the Christian movement notes, especially in the case of minorities or marginalised communities. However, it adds, in view of the upcoming elections, it is important that these “offer the opportunity for a better future for all citizens” who, to do so, must use the ballot box “to ensure that the best person is called to the most important office”. Among the signatories of the document are the president of the NCCSL, the Anglican bishops and leaders, the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Presbyterians, the Young Christian Women’s Association and the Lanka Theological College.
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