Addressing a gathering in Kegalle over the weekend, His Eminence said a solution to the ethnic conflict must be found through consensus and the path to dialogue should come from among Sri Lankans, not anyone else.

He requested the international community to allow Sri Lanka to find a home-grown solution for ethnic reconciliation and their unwarranted interference would only cause problems and added that he is making the request as a Sri Lankan who loves his country.

The Cardinal expressed confidence that national reconciliation could be achieved in the post-conflict era without the interference of the international community.

He said that all communities should support the ongoing efforts by the government to settle differences among communities.