News
Cardinal slams those who devalue spirit of Christmas by trying to have liquor stores kept open on that day
By Norman Palihawadane
Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday said authorities should not allow the sale of liquor during Christmas as it was banned during Vesak.
Referring to a proposal made by the Tourism Ministry to permit the sale of liquor on Christmas, the Cardinal said that authorities should not devalue Christmas.
“The Christmas is not a time for drinking and wasting lives; it has much more sacred purposes.”
Citing newspaper reports, the Cardinal said the Tourism Ministry had sought approval for hotels registered with the ministry to sell liquor during Christmas. “Is this the wonder of Asia? Is this the ‘Vistas of Prosperity?”
The Cardinal said that the government had so far not taken any action against the masterminds behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks. “The report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry has identified those responsible for those attacks, but they have not yet even been summoned for questioning.”