Religious groups pray for peaceful election in Sri Lanka
(January 25, 2010) Religious leaders have joined in prayer for a peaceful presidential
election on Tuesday, January 26, after a campaign that was marred by escalating violence.
More than 900 cases of violence including five deaths have been reported since the
election was announced in November. One person was killed when gunmen attacked a bus
carrying opposition supporters on January 13, the first apparent death in the political
campaigning. Political parties’ offices have also been set on fire, candidates’ banners
destroyed, and supporters attacked. On January 24, 300 Buddhist, Baha’i Christian,
Hindu and Muslim religious leaders and laypeople gathered to pray and meditate in
Colombo for a peaceful poll. “We believe this invocation of blessings will strengthen
the spiritual power of all our people, all the presidential candidates, and those
who engage in the political arena, with noble thoughts and feelings of love, compassion,
understanding and acceptance,” said Buddhist monk Venerable Madampagama Assaji Thera.
The Interfaith Coalition for the Prevention of Election Conflicts (ICPEC) organized
the prayer service in different faiths on January 24. “Spiritual power and values
can change the minds of people toward non-violence,” Anglican Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe
said. During the service, participants read out a “spiritual pledge” of non-violence
and distributed copies to people. Meanwhile Christian bishops and university professors
have appealed to the election chief to ensure a free and fair poll.