Pope will Visit Sri Lanka Although Rajapakse Lose Election

Colombo (AFP / Antara Bali) - The Catholic Church on Friday asserted that Pope Francis will remain a visit to Sri Lanka next week even though there has been a change in the structure of government in Colombo after the convening of the election.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith based in Colombo calling for "peace and order" after Mahinda Rajapaksa defeated by former health minister at the same time opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

"We strongly urge all the people of Sri Lanka to help the success of the visit of the Holy Father (from January 13 to 15) to maintain peace and order at the moment when the new president has been elected," according to a statement of the church.

They said the new president, who is also a follower of the Buddha as its predecessor, has promised to Cardinal Ranjith "to cooperate fully in the success of the Pope's visit."

There are fears that the election results were problematic it will stop the Pope's visit, but Rajapakse conceded defeat on Friday in a move that was welcomed by Sirisena.

Roman Catholics account for about six percent of the population of Sri Lanka, a country that is predominantly Buddhist. (MFD)