COLOMBO, Oct. 26, Reuter: Catholic Bishops in Sri Lanka, where Tamil rebels are fighting government forces, have appealed to all churches and schools in the country to pray for peace to mark Pope John Paul’s appeal for a worldwide ceasefire tomorrow.
Ey Swamipillai, Catholic Bishop for the Eastern districts of Batticaloa and Trincomalee, told Reuters by telephone that instructions had gone to churches in the areas to conduct special masses.
“We will pray and hope that those who disturb the peace will get inspiration from tomorrow’s religious observances,” he said.
‘The government’s media center said security forces would be confined to barricks in response to the Pope’s appeal.
‘The Pontiff earlier this month called for a suspension of all fighting tomorrow when he will host a meeting of religious leaders in the Italian city of Assisi.
The Vatican said yesterday that at least five Tamil rebel groups had agreed to the truce, Residents in northern and eastern areas, where the rebels are seeking a separate state, told Reuters that guerrillas had put up posters saying they would respect the Pope’s plea.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 31, 1986
