News
Cardinal calls for Christmas sharing in crisis-hit Lanka
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has urged Christians to share a meal with the hungry poor this Christmas as millions in this crisis-hit nation island nation struggle to put food on the table.
The situation in the island nation is “precarious,” Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, said while addressing media people on Dec. 19 at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo.
He said a large number of families do not have proper sustenance, pointing to a recent study that a family of four requires 120,000 Sri Lankan rupees (US$371) to cover monthly expenses, but the average monthly income of a family is only US$241.
“So with that kind of money, they cannot manage meals let alone the schooling of children, or pay for electricity, water, cooking gas and other things,” the 76-year-old cardinal said.
A lot of borrowing “goes on all the time, even pawning one’s silver and gold. So a lot of people are under great stress,” said the leader of the country’s 1.5 million Catholics.
Christians, the majority of them Catholics, account for seven percent of the 22 million people in the nation, which is experiencing its worst economic crisis in its history.
The continuing crisis has led to unprecedented inflation, the near-depletion of its foreign exchange reserves and shortages of medical supplies, and price hikes of essential commodities such as cooking oil, rice and fuel.
“It is a situation that we cannot ignore when we are celebrating Christmas because Jesus Christ as a symbol was born in poverty,” said Ranjith, a vocal critic of the government’s economic policies.
Jesus Christ lived the life of “a person from an average poor family” and was a “mendicant who walked streets, with his disciples behind him, they had enough to eat and sustain themselves. When we think of Jesus as a poor man, we must show a lot of respect for the poor during Christmas celebrations,” he said.
He urged Catholics, all other Christians, as well as other people of goodwill “to share your Christmas this year … with the poor in your neighborhood or your surroundings.”
Ranjith also urged them to cut down “as much as possible … unnecessary expenditure on decorations, gifts and other things. We are not saying not to give gifts, but do not waste.”
He also asked them to invite the poor “to share a meal with them” on Christmas Day.The cardinal said he had advised parish priests in Colombo archdiocese to organize feeding programs for the poor at Christmas.
he said he plans to participate in a feeding program on Christmas Day to share his meals with the poor “in fraternity with those who suffer hunger.”
He wished the gathering a “very happy Christmas” but reiterated that “happiness does not lie in drinking, eating and merry-making alone.”
“Inner happiness you can draw on by giving up something to make another person happy,” the cardinal said.
Sri Lanka Cricket has announced today (29) that the President of Sri Lanka Cricket and members of the Executive Committee have tendered their resignations.
The decision has been formaly communicated to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 April 2026, valid for 29 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle,
Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:
Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.
According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).
Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”
USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.
Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.
Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.
On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Eran Wickeamaratne named new Sri Lanka Cricket chief
President and Exco of Sri Lanka Cricket step down
Ferreira, Shubham, Rajasthan Royals openers hand Punjab Kings their first defeat
Dulani and Samarawickrama set up Sri Lanka’s victory in T20I series opener
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 pm
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News7 days agoLanka faces crisis of conscience over fate of animals: Call for compassion, law reform, and ethical responsibility
-
News6 days agoWhistleblowers ask Treasury Chief to resign over theft of USD 2.5 mn
-
News6 days agoNo cyber hack: Fintech expert exposes shocking legacy flaws that led to $2.5 million theft
-
News3 days agoBIA drug bust: 25 monks including three masterminds arrested
-
Business4 days agoNestlé Lanka Announces Change in Leadership
-
News3 days agoBanks alert customers to phishing attacks
-
News4 days agoHackers steal $3.2 Mn from Finance Ministry
-
News7 days agoUSD 2 mn bribe: CID ordered to arrest Shasheendra R, warrant issued against ex-SriLankan CEO’s wife