Pope Francis says work of rebuilding Sri Lanka must include respect for human rights

Pope Francis urged respect for human rights as he began a two-nation Asia tour in a windswept Sri Lanka yesterday, bearing a message of peace and reconciliation after the country's decades-long civil war.

His visit, days after the surprise election of a new president, will focus on unity in a country struggling to heal the wounds of a 37-year conflict that pitted troops against Tamil separatists.

The Argentine pope's second visit to Asia will also take in the Philippines, a bastion of Christianity in the region, where he is set to attract one of the biggest-ever gatherings for a head of the Catholic Church. But in mostly Buddhist Sri Lanka, which has seen a rise in religious violence in recent years, he will focus on the role of the Catholic Church in a diverse society.

"The great work of rebuilding must embrace ... promoting human dignity, respect for human rights, and the full inclusion of each member of society," the pope said on his arrival in the capital, Colombo.

Human rights are a hugely contentious issue in Sri Lanka, which has alienated the international community by refusing to cooperate with a UN-mandated investigation into alleged wartime mass killing of civilians.

"The process of healing also needs to include the pursuit of truth," said the pope, battling frequent strong gusts of wind that repeatedly blew his white cape over his head, and at one point took off his skullcap.

He was greeted at Colombo's main airport by new President Maithripala Sirisena who took office only days ago. Sirisena has promised an independent domestic inquiry would be held into the allegations of wartime rights abuses under his predecessor Mahinda Rajapakse.