Don't use Pope's visit for political gains: Lanka Church

Colombo: Sri Lanka's Catholic church on Sunday asked all political parties to refrain from using the Pope's visit for political gains during the presidential polls in January.

Father Cyril Gamini, the spokesman for the Catholic church issued a press release asking political parties to refrain from using the image of Pope Francis in the election posters.

"It has been brought to our notice that the political posters and cut outs with the picture of the Holy Father have come up in some places in the country".

The church sought the removal of political posters and cut outs immediately and urge all the political groups to refrain from using either the Holy Father or his visit to Sri Lanka for the political campaign of the presidential election.

Sri Lanka goes to snap presidential election on January 8, just five days ahead of the scheduled papal visit on January 13.

Pope Francis's two day visit will be the first visit of a Pope to Buddhist majority Sri Lanka since 1995.