“Indeed, arbitrary attacks fail to give effective voice to the interests of the various groups on whose behalf they are purportedly carried out. They can regrettably provoke indiscriminate reactions that similarly place the innocent in harm's way”, he added.

His Holiness also said:” Frank and sincere negotiations, regardless of the investment of time and resources they require, are the only sure means to achieving reconciliation and addressing problems that have long hindered peaceful coexistence in Sri Lanka ”.

Referring to the recruitment of children to engage in combat or in terrorist activities the Pope said “such practices must be condemned at the outset, for they inevitably stunt the moral development of children, leaving scars that last a lifetime”.