Sri Lankan priest speaks about upcoming papal visit

(Vatican Radio)  Catholics in Sri Lanka are keenly looking forward to Pope Francis’ visit to the island from 12-15 January. Father Ruban Fernando, a Catholic priest from the diocese of Mannar in northern Sri Lanka, says many members of the island’s Tamil minority are still suffering despite the end of the nation’s long-running civil war in 2009. He says although there is “no longer a war as such,” Tamils are calling for a normal life with full rights and freedom from “discrimination.” Father Ruban also spoke of how thousands of people were kidnapped or disappeared during the civil war, especially during the final stages of the conflict, and he says the family and relatives of these missing people are demanding to know what happened to their loved ones.    

Listen to the full interview with Sri Lanka priest, Father Ruban Fernando: