By Norman Palihawadane

Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith called on the rulers of the country to refrain from what he termed as boru shoke to celebrate the forthcoming Christmas and get their act together to provide for hundreds of thousands of people who are starving.Addressing a ceremony for blessing and consecration of the newly built St Francis of Assisi Church, Udugampola of the Burulpitiya Parish last week, the Cardinal said that he read in the newspapers that those in the top seats in tourism industry, including the ministers, were planning to put up decorations and pandals in Colombo to mark Christmas.

“This they do at a time when people in their hundreds of thousands are languishing without food. I have been told by parish priests that they have to feed children attending the Sunday schools to prevent them fainting during classes. Those in parliament act as if they are oblivious to the reality prevailing in the country.

“They blame each other and waste time. If they are true and genuine they should come to the people and talk to them about their condition and put all their energy to help people to find food. They do not do that. We call on them to stop wasting whatever funds remaining for extravaganza and use them for people’s benefit.

“What is the use of boru shoke with empty pockets,” the Cardinal queried. “What is the meaning of gala ceremonies to celebrate Christmas while people live in hunger and frustration?”

He said that every ruler who wielded the sword of the executive presidency used it not to build this country by to destroy it; to become rich and ensure a comfortable future for their own families and henchmen.

The construction work of the new church building commenced in 2012 under the direction of Rev Fr Subash Chaminda Fernando OFM, the then Parish Priest. The construction work continued during the tenure of Rev Fr Dudley Saparamadhu OFM and was finally completed by Rev Fr Prasad Indika, incumbent Parish Priest.