News
New Pope by Sunday?
The College of Cardinals will gather beneath Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling at the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, tasked with the solemn duty of choosing a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away a fortnight ago. While papal conclaves can stretch over days, recent history suggests the white smoke may rise swiftly – possibly before the bells ring across Colombo for the Sunday mass.
The last two conclaves – in 2005 and 2013 – which elected Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, respectively, wrapped up within 48 hours. In fact, none of the past 10 conclaves have lasted more than five days, a telling precedent that hints at a brisk decision this time as well.
Speculation, as always, is running wild. Names of prominent Cardinals have been floated, their odds debated in hushed corners of seminaries and newsrooms alike. Yet, papal history teaches us caution: As the popular saying goes. ‘he who enters the conclave as Pope, exits a Cardinal’.
Consider Cardinal Giuseppe Siri, the Archbishop of Genoa. In 1958, at just 52, he was the leading contender to succeed Pius XII. Yet, the College of Cardinals swayed toward the elderly Angelo Roncalli, who emerged as Pope John XXIII. Siri’s papal hopes would flicker again in 1963 and in both 1978 conclaves – only to be extinguished each time.
Before the voting begins, the Cardinals will reflect on the Church’s present needs. And when the white smoke spirals into the sky and the words ‘Habemus Papam’ echo around St. Peter’s square, it may be a familiar figure or a complete outsider who steps onto that balcony. Such was the case in October 1978, when a little known Polish cardinal Karol Wojtyła, became John Paul II. Or in 2013, when the retired Jesuit Archbishop from Buenos Aires was called back into service as Pope Francis.
Francis was a reformer. He shunned opulence for humility, promoted mercy over judgment and stirred theological waters by welcoming divorcees to communion and expanding roles for women in the Vatican. When a reporter asked him for a comment on women’s wider role at Vatican, the Pope said tongue in cheek, ‘they are certainly managing the finances better than men.’
Of the 135 Cardinals eligible to vote this week, 108 were appointed by Francis himself, hailing from 71 nations – a testament to his global vision. Many are first-time voters, but not Sri Lanka’s Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, who took part in the 2013 conclave that elected Francis with an overwhelming majority.
Given the Francis-heavy composition of the electors, it’s tempting to predict a like-minded successor – someone who’ll carry the torch of reform. But should the College of Cardinals feel the need for a bridge-builder between traditionalists and progressives, a seasoned elder could be chosen for a short, stabilising papacy. And we may well know his name before Sunday.
by Rex Clementine
Latest News
Landslide RED warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions of Ududumbara, Nildadndahinna and Walapane
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued RED warnings to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours effective from 0900 hrs today [09th January].
Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Wilgamuwa in the Matale district, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Badulla, Meegahakiwula, Hali_Ela, Passara and Lunugala in the Badulla district, Minipe in the Kandy district, Ambanganga Korale, Ukuwela, Rattota, Naula and Laggala_Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district.
Latest News
A Policy is being formulated to ensure Child Protection in the use of Technology — Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a policy is currently being formulated to ensure child protection in the use of technology.
The Prime Minister made this statement on Thursday (08) in Kandy while briefing the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters on the issue that has arisen regarding the Grade 6 English module. Thereafter, printed copies of all modules were presented to the Mahanayake Theros.
Earlier on Thursday (08), the Prime Minister visited the Malwathu Viharaya in Kandy and met the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Nayaka Thero, the Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter, where she explained the error that had occurred in the first print run of the English module for Grade 6 .
The Mahanayake Theros emphasized that education is a sensitive subject and that such matters should be handled with greater sensitivity and proper oversight. They further advised that a formal investigation should be conducted and that education reforms should be carried forward in a systematic manner.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister visited the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya and met the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, where she clarified the error related to the English module.
The Mahanayake Thero noted that education reforms are a timely necessity and should be implemented with due oversight and careful review and also pointed out that there are broader issues in Sri Lanka regarding the use of technology, which are evident in the manner in which modern tools such as AI technologies are being used on social media.
Clarifying the issue Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated,
“We have appointed a committee to look into this issue, and based on the recommendations of the National Institute of Education (NIE), steps were taken to remove the relevant lesson. In addition, all printed copies of the relevant module have been stamped, and no module has been distributed to schoolchildren. A formal investigation into this matter has been initiated by the Ministry, and a complaint has also been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department.
At the same time, we are in the process of formulating a policy on child protection in the use of technology”.
Thereafter, addressing the media and responding to the’ questions raised by journalists, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Opposition is attempting to use this national task for their own political advantage. However, many in society have expressed their views on the issues that have arisen in a positive manner, with the objective of identifying and correcting mistakes. The government has decided to move forward with education reforms by recognizing the error that have occurred and rectifying them. We will take the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition as an opportunity to further advance dialogue on education reforms”
The occasion was graced by the Most Venerable Anunayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Nayaka Thero; Deputy Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter, Venerable Muruddeniye Dhammarakkhita Thero; Deputy Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter, Venerable Mahawela Rathanapala Thero; Members of Parliament Thushari Jayasinghe and Thanura Dissanayake; Mayor of Kandy Chandrasiri Wijenayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and Secretary to the Ceylon Teachers’ Union in Central Province D. D. Wimalaweera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
The deep depression to the South-east of Sri Lanka is likely to intensify in to a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours
A RED warning for a deep depression to the South-east of Sri Lanka has been issued at 01.00 a.m. on 09 January 2026 for the period until 01.00 a.m. 10 January 2026 by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, of the Department of Meteorology.
The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka (At 01:00 a.m. on Jan 9th, 2026 located about 200 km East of Pottuvil) is very likely to intensify further and move west-northwestwards towards the coast of Sri Lanka between Pottuvil and Trincomalee in the evening today (9th January 2026.) The system is likely to intensify in to a cyclonic storm
during the next 24 hours.
Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance.
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