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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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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.