Statement by National Christian Council of Sri Lanka “Heads of Churches” on Presidential Poll 2019

• All communities should be able to live without fear or favor, irrespective of proportionate standings
• The diversity of our land in terms of faith, culture and ethnicity should be harnessed to build a common heritage

As a Church community we approach the Presidential Elections in our country, following All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day (Remembrance Day) which reminds us of people like us who walked the earth, yet made a difference by their commitment and single-minded obedience for discipleship in Christ and those our loved ones gone before us whom we remember with prayers and supplications. Both commemorations relate to life and its influence on us and it is amidst this reality that we prepare for the Presidential Elections in our land bearing relevance to our lives as a people of this country.

We believe that elections are an important mechanism in ensuring the participation of the people in the democratic arena, which franchise should be exercised with caution and prayer reading the signs of the times. What is at stake is our future as a people and a nation for ‘rightful living’ and in this context we as Heads of Churches of The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) wish to place the following concerns for consideration in choosing a leader to lead and govern us, as the Head of State.   

SRI LANKAN IDENTITY

The blessed diversity of our land in terms of faith, culture and ethnicity should be harnessed to build a common heritage as ‘a people of this soil’. The leader to be elected should be ‘selfless and un-biased’ in his/her approach to promote and celebrate such diversity with life-affirming values that secures the dignity and well-being of all people and their ‘right to life’.   

LAW AND ORDER

Law and Order is a much-required ingredient for the welfare and valid progress of any society. The proposed leader, whilst upholding the three arms of governance in the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary with its related functions, should specifically guarantee the supremacy of the ‘law’ as equal to all citizens of this land. He/ She should not in any way interfere, obstruct or influence the independence of the law enforcing authorities and commit for Justice at all times for all people without discrimination and be accountable for ‘good governance’ in its correct essence.   

SECURITY 

The growth, dignity, and development of human security should be paramount, upholding the concepts, structures and traditions securing the right to live in any part of the island with ownership of land and property. All communities should be able to live without fear or favour, irrespective of proportionate standings. The leader should display trustworthiness of such leadership with ability of competence in fulfilling the task/s, benevolence of concern for people of this country, integrity in adhering to principles of fairness and honesty and predictability of consistency.   

This is ‘Kairos’ moment; an invitation by God who is Life and Love calling upon the people to look to a leader who is ‘selfless, accountable and trustworthy’ and One who will in partnership with the people commit and journey towards the future of our nation.   

Signed by:

Member Churches 

• Rev. Heshan De Silva –President Sri Lanka Baptist Sangamaya   
• Rt. Rev. D.R. Canagasabey –Bishop of Colombo, Church of Ceylon, Diocese of Colombo   
• Rt. Rev. Keerthisiri Fernando – Bishop of Kurunegala – Church of Ceylon   
• Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel S. Thiagarajah, Bishop of Jaffna Diocese, Church of South India   
• Rev. Saman Perera - President, Presbytery of Lanka   
• Rev. Shirley Faber, President, Christian Reformed Church   
• Lt. Colonel Suresh Pawar, Territorial Commander, The Salvation Army