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Cardinal slams ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour,’ demands total overhaul

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/20

Rev. Brother Sunanda Alwis, Principal, Maris Stella College, Negombo, welcomes Rt. Rev. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, on his arrival at the college premises on Saturday (Pic by Clifford Murray)

current exodus sign of developing crisis

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Archbishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has issued an ominous warning that the country struggling to cope up with extreme economic difficulties would be ruined unless the political party system and the people readily accepted the urgent need for a total transformation of the current utterly corrupt way of life.The Cardinal declared that the situation was so bad with the large-scale exodus now threatening the future of the country that those in authority should take tangible remedial measures or face the consequences.

Having emphasized waste, corruption and irregularities as the bane of the country, the outspoken leader of the Catholic Church described those factors as cancerous. The country was being devoured by corruption, the Cardinal declared, pointing out that the public couldn’t get anything done at most government officers without bribing those in authority. At a higher level, people received commissions, the Cardinal said, pointing out how pump attendants took advantage of the disruption of diesel and petrol supplies to fleece consumers.

The Cardinal said so delivering a sermon in Sinhala at a special mass at Maris Stella College, Negombo, on Saturday (18) as part of its centenary celebrations.Referring to the growing number of families and individuals trying to leave the country amidst the deteriorating economic crisis, the Cardinal warned the way the situation was developing there wouldn’t be a requirement for schools in this country.At the onset of his sermon, the Cardinal dealt with the arrival of Marist Brothers in Sri Lanka where they first served the people of Batticaloa and then established St. Mary’s College, Negombo, before launching Maris Stella College, also in Negombo, in 1922.

He also was made reference to the French revolution that brought untold misery on the Catholic community before the French political and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte restored the much desired freedom to the Catholic community. The Marist Brothers Schools were founded in 1817 by St. Marcellin Champagnat, a Marist priest from Leon, France, the Cardinal said, while discussing current challenges faced by the communities at a time of social upheaval.Acknowledging the need for a new Constitution, constitutional amendments, including the 21st Amendment, the Cardinal warned that such measures wouldn’t achieve the much anticipated goals unless the vast majority of the people changed their mindset. The country was in such a sorry state of affairs and further deterioration, the people no longer had any confidence in a stable future, the prelate said.

Referring to the 2019 Easter Sunday massacre, the Cardinal said that the heinous crimes were approved by those in the top as well as the bottom.The Cardinal explained how those who exercised political authority over the past several decades caused debilitating damages and the people were struggling to leave the country. Long queues at the Passport Office were an indication of the public rapidly losing confidence in the government, the Cardinal said.

Declaring that issuance of election manifestos and promises given on political platforms meaningless exercises, the Cardinal ridiculed the incumbent government’s 2019 presidential election manifesto, titled ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour.’ Alleging that what was happening here was quite the opposite of ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour,’ the Cardinal emphasized the political leadership should realize that the people were above them.

Demanding that the political leadership should address the grievances of the people, the Cardinal said that the political party system here was geared to divide and cause animosity among the public. The Cardinal warned that the country couldn’t achieve development if petty party politics caused rifts among the population.

The Cardinal also strongly condemned those who promoted private tuition at the expense of families struggling to make ends meet under perilous living conditions. Recalling his school days, the Catholic leader said that he never secured 9 ‘A’s at the GCE (O/L) but that didn’t hinder him. Unfortunately, those who had sought profits mercilessly promoted tuition and succeeded in creating a myth that sufficient results couldn’t be obtained without private tuition classes, the Cardinal said.The Cardinal repeatedly emphasized the responsibility on the part of the education system, both government and private, to transform the student community, thereby creating the required impetus for social change.

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President chairs discussion on 2027 Budget Proposals for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

Published

11 hours ago

2026/07/16

Priyan

A pre-Budget discussion to review the progress of projects implemented under the 2026 Budget allocations for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and to discuss proposals for the 2027 Budget was held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (13) afternoon.

The progress of projects implemented by each division of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and the institutions under its purview using the 2026 Budget allocations, as well as proposals for the 2027 Budget, were reviewed separately during the discussion.

The President also focused on the current status of the programme to establish industrial zones in areas including Dambulla, Ingiriya, Valachchenai, Millaniya and Katunayake. Discussions centred on issues that have arisen in allocating land and developing infrastructure, including electricity, water and roads, as well as the urgent measures required to resolve these issues.

President Dissanayake instructed officials to make every effort to complete all projects already initiated under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development within the stipulated timeframes. He also highlighted the need to clearly identify the Government’s role and limitations in relation to the industrial sector.

Attention was also drawn to the current situation regarding the development of state-owned enterprises, while issues affecting the sugar and salt industries and alternative proposals to address them were also discussed.

The current status of the process to consolidate institutions under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development was also reviewed. The President pointed out that large institutions had been established at different times to meet various needs, ultimately creating a situation in which such institutions had to be maintained using taxpayers’ money.

He stressed that the consolidation of these institutions should not only improve their efficiency but should also result in a relative reduction in operational expenditure compared with the costs incurred prior to consolidation.

Officials also briefed the President on the proposal to establish the Entrepreneurship and Industry Transformation Authority (EITA) and the programme proposed under the Authority.

Attention was also focused on the challenges faced by exporters and industrialists in carrying out their activities. The President instructed officials to submit proposals on general concessions that could be provided to encourage exporters and industrialists.

The President further pointed out that Sri Lanka could develop distinctive expertise by identifying several key areas within the industrial sector and providing the facilities necessary for their development.

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando; Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma; and Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, along with officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, participated in the discussion.

[PMD]

News

Prime Minister meets the Amir of the State of Qatar and conveys condolences on the passing of the Father Emir

Published

11 hours ago

2026/07/16

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, visited the State of Qatar to convey condolences on the passing of the Father Emir, at Lusail Palace in Doha on Wednesday (15 July).

Upon her arrival, the Prime Minister was received by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar. The Prime Minister subsequently met with His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya conveyed to the Emir the deepest condolences of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani; Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, Speaker of the Shura Council; senior members of the Royal Family.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Current El Niño Status in Sri Lanka

Published

23 hours ago

2026/07/16

Priyan

At present, El Niño conditions have developed and are classified as being at a weak level. Forecasts indicate a 63% probability of a very strong El Niño event developing during the period from November 2026 to January 2027. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is approximately a one-third probability that El Niño will remain below a very strong intensity.

Typical Climatic Conditions Associated with El Niño
Based on analyses of past El Niño events that occurred between 1950 and 2025:
• Rainfall during July and August may be below normal, particularly in the dry zone areas.
• From October onward, rainfall is generally expected to be above normal.
• If a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) develops, enhanced rainfall conditions may continue until December.

Sectors Requiring Attention
• Appropriate measures should be taken for water resource management during July and August.
• Increased rainfall expected from October onward may lead to floods and landslides, requiring preparedness and close monitoring. The forecasts are important for sectors such as, Agriculture /Water management /Livestock /Health /Energy /Other climate-sensitive sectors
• Attention should be paid to official information issued by the Department of Meteorology.

Actions by the Department of Meteorology
The Department of Meteorology continuously monitors the evolving situation and issues:
• Weekly and monthly seasonal forecasts and Monthly analyses of rainfall data to monitor meteorological drought conditions.
As weather conditions are influenced not only by El Niño but also by other climatic factors, updated forecasts and advisories are regularly shared with relevant stakeholder organizations (Irrigation/ Water Management Committee /Department of Agriculture/National Building Research Institute/Disaster Management Centre (DMC)/Ministry of Health /Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation…etc). The Department also provides technical support to the committee established through a Cabinet decision to address climate-related impacts. The Department’s monthly rainfall outlook for July to September 2026 is attached

Monthly Rainfall Forecasts for July, August and September 2026
Month Rainfall forecast
July 2026

During July 2026, there is a higher probability of having near normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces. The remainder of the country is expected to experience below normal rainfall.

August 2026

There is a higher probability of having below normal rainfall across most parts of the country during month of August 2026.

September 2026

There is a possibility of above-normal rainfall across most parts of the Western and Southern Provinces, while near-normal rainfall is expected in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Below-normal rainfall is likely in the remaining areas during September 2026.

Note: These long-range forecasts may change due to strong day-to-day atmospheric variability associated with the movement of weather systems such as atmospheric disturbances, low-pressure areas, and depressions, as well as intra-seasonal oscillations such as the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Therefore, in addition to the weekly and monthly forecasts, it is important to pay attention to the Department’s official announcements, weather advisories and warnings, as well as the daily weather forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.