"The decision to appoint [Ranil] Wickremesinghe as the prime minister is in complete opposition to the will and aspirations of the people," said Cardinal Ranjith after the announcement was made through the media on May 12.

Buddhist monk Ven Omalpe Sobhitha Thera said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's decision to appoint Wickremesinghe as prime minister was unconstitutional.

"The interim government should be established under a person who has the will of the people. The appointment is a step taken to protect the Rajapaksas," he said.

Wickremesinghe was seen as a relatively safe replacement. He had previously served as Sri Lankan prime minister five times.

Wickremesinghe replaced Mahinda Rajapaksa (the president's brother), who resigned after months of protests over the country's deepening economic crisis.

The economic situation in Sri Lanka remains dire, with the country virtually bankrupt.

It has already defaulted on its billions in foreign loans and is in discussions with the International Monetary Fund for an emergency loan and financial assistance to get the country back on its feet.

Rajapaksa's resignation came hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, which prompted authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy troops in the capital.

Even though Colombo was under curfew, the waterfront boulevard was still thronged with people united in their grievances against the government and a row of Catholic nuns fanned themselves next to robed Buddhist monks.

Pope Francis on Wednesday appealed for calm in Sri Lanka. He called on authorities to "listen to the aspirations of the people" as the island reels from deadly violence and rioting.

"I offer a special thought to the people of Sri Lanka, in particular to the young, who in recent times have made their cry heard in the face of the country's social and economic challenges and problems," he said at the end of his weekly audience.

Sources

UCA News

Washington Post

Khaleej Times

The closures follow a series of church and hotel bombings at Easter which killed over 250 people.

The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, said church officials had seen a leaked security document describing Catholic churches and other denominations as a major target for attackers.

Besides closing the churches, he asked the faithful to stay home for their own safety.

"We don't want repetitions," Ranjith said.

Instead, Ranjith celebrated Sunday's Mass from a small, private chapel at his home.

Several priests and political leaders, including President Maithripala Sirisena, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the Archbishop's Mass which was broadcast via television to Catholics at home.

In his homily Randith said: "This is a time our hearts are tested by the great destruction that took place last Sunday. This is a time questions such as does God truly love us, does he have compassion towards us, can arise in human hearts."

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Dozens of suspects have been arrested.

Source

• The Tablet
• Vatican News
• Image: NBC News