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Cardinal Ranjith demands drastic changes of existing political system

Published

2 years ago

2022/11/20

by Norman Palihawadane

The laws of this country now in operation have been promulgated to empower a single person or one particular group to rule the entire nation at his or their will, said Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at an event in Ja-ela last week.

Addressing a meeting held at Panahawatte in Bollatha, Ja-Ela to hand over 12 newly built houses to 12 Easter Sunday terror victim families last week, the Cardinal said: “Drastic changes should be brought into the existing political system if we want to see our country march forward. The laws empower only a single person or a particular group. Such empowerment vested on a single group or a person is detrimental to the progress of the country. Therefore we have need for change. The change we seek should ensure a new constitution that would permit a true democracy.

“The laws of the country should be independent and the Head of State and Government (President) should not play with the Constitution of the land at his or her will. We must wipe out fraud and corruption. During the past 74 years since independence, all what our political leaders had been doing was telling lies to the people and deceiving them at every turn. They manipulated the law to achieve what they wanted and not

what the country needed or the people aspired to. As a result now there is no justice and fair play in our society,” he said.

The houses distributed had been constructed by Sethsarana-CARITAS institute of the Archdiocese of Colombo using the funds from CARITAS ATHONISANO of Italy. The recipients were families of 12 victims who were killed while they were attending religious services at St Antony’s Shrine in Kochchikade.

Colombo Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop Rev Dr Anton Ranjith, Msgr Neville Joe Perera, Archdiocese Procurator General Rev Fr Jude Samantha Fernando, Assistant Procurator General Fr Gihan Ridley, Bollatha Parish Priest Rev Fr Anton Niroshan Fernando and Rev. Fr Kennedy Fernando were also present.

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Pope Leo appeals for no more war in first Sunday address

Published

3 hours ago

2025/05/12

Priyan

Pope Leo called for a "lasting peace" in the war in Ukraine and said he was "deeply hurt" by events in Gaza [BBC]

Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.

Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.

He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.

The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.

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May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM

Published

3 hours ago

2025/05/12

Priyan

In her Vesak day message, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya wished that this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings

The full text of the prime ministers vesak day message:

“It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.

Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.

This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.

I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.

May all of you have a blessed Vesak!”

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Special waste management programme launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” during the State Vesak Festival

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/12

Priyan

Parallel with the State Vesak Festival that commenced on Saturday (10) in the Nuwara Eliya District, a special waste management initiative has been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to enhance facilities for devotees and ensure proper waste disposal in the city of Nuwara Eliya.

With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Nuwara Eliya during the Vesak Week, from May 10 to 16, this initiative is aimed at preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the area.

The programme will focus particularly on areas around the Gregory Lake, a key tourist attraction, and the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre, the venue for the State Vesak Festival.

In addition, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative urges visiting devotees to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable material such as polythene and calls on all citizens to act responsibly by properly disposing of waste only at designated locations, while maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the environment.