COLOMBO: The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka on Tuesday asked the government to clarify its plans for a snap presidential polls, amid fears the polls will scupper a planned visit by the Pope.

Sri Lanka has not yet announced an election date, but the information minister said that the polls would be held in January, when Pope Francis is due to visit.

The Church had earlier said it would be “inappropriate” for the Pope to visit any country at the time of a national election.

Official sources said Church authorities had asked the government to clarify Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s announcement Monday that President Mahinda Rajapakse would run for a third term at an election in January.