New Colombo Archbishop exhorts national unity

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 July 2002, 16:14 GMT]
"All Sri Lankans should join hands to find a lasting solution to national issues irrespective of communal, religious and other differences," said the newly installed Archbishop of Colombo Most.Rev.Dr. Oswald Gomis. The Canonical installation of the eighth Archbishop took place Saturday at the Cathedral of St.Lucia, Kotehena in Colombo.

The Archbishop said, "all differences should be set aside to settle the ethnic conflict and prevent further degradation of the society. The Catholics in the country have always worked in close co-operation with the Buddhists and members of other faiths."

Several leading Buddhist monks participated and blessed the new Archbishop by chanting Seth Pirith.

Presidential Secretary Mr.K.Balapattependi on behalf of President Chandrika Kumaratunge and Defense Minister Tilak Marapone on behalf of Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe offered good wishes.

New Archbishop was born in 1932, December 12. He is the current President of Bishops' Conference and he has always stood out as a champion of national harmony.