UNP accuses the Defence Ministry of lying and insulting the Catholic Church

In a statement, handed to journalists in Colombo by opposition parliamentarian Jayalath Jayawardene on 22 September, the Vatican has denied Cardinal Francis Arinze making such a comment.

A state owned Daily news report published in the Sri Lankan defence ministry website quoted the visiting Vatican Cardinal Francis Arinsay as saying that "Catholics should be grateful to President for liberating Madhu".

In his cordial discussion with the President, the Cardinal did not express himself on the Madhu issue at all nor on any other issue of a political nature Vatican statement

"The entire Catholic community in Sri Lanka should be grateful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for liberating the historic Madhu Shrine from the terrorists and restoring to the Church, Vatican Cardinal Francis Arinsay said when he called on the President at Temple Trees yesterday(Sep 16)," state owned Daily News has reported.

However, the Vatican in a statement issued on 20 September, has denied the Cardinal making any such statement UNP MP, Jayalath Jayawardene told the media.

It is a disgrace that the official website of the Defence Ministry reports false, diabolical and malicious lies Jayalath Jayawardene, MP

"In his cordial discussion with the President, the Cardinal did not express himself on the Madhu issue at all nor on any other issue of a political nature," the statement issued by the Apostolic Nunciature in Sri Lanka stated.

"It is a disgrace that the official website of the Defence Ministry reports false, diabolical and malicious lies," parliamentarian Jayawardene said.

The shrine sacred to Catholics was in LTTE-held territory until advancing Sri Lanka troops captured the area in April, this year.