Cardinal: ‘Don’t look down on our rich history to follow West blindly’

‘We are ready to destroy our national resources and degrade the environment to make money’

Sri Lanka was not moving in the proper direction as it had embraced European cultural traditions and neo-liberal economic policies, Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday said in a statement to mark the 73rd Independence Day of the country.

“04 February is the best day to contemplate on the good and bad of the last 73 years. It is also the best day to determine the right path we should take,” he said.

The cardinal said that in the past few decades Sri Lankans had started to appreciate the traditions and customs of others, while looking down on their own rich history.

“We are now ready to destroy our national resources and to degrade the environment to make money. There are powerful people ready to do anything for wealth and power. They are ready to suppress the truth and justice. This is the result of state policies in the last few decades and now people are divided, and this is ideal for people who want to destroy the nation. We are all in debt and there is no consideration for others. This selfishness is a main reason why we can’t control COVID-19 too.”

His Eminence said that some might claim his Independence Day message was a pessimistic one. However, he was attempting to rally people who cared about the country to rise and take the country on the right path. “If we do not take action now, soon we will lose our independence that was won after great sacrifice.”