Colombo celebrates Cardinal Ranjith and promises justice for the 2019 massacres
Sri Lankan President Dissanayake attended the ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the priesthood of the archbishop of the capital, ordained in 1975 by Pope Paul VI. In recent years, the cardinal has been a voice for the truth about the attacks that struck churches on Easter Sunday. ‘The country needs a new beginning. Let us work to protect religious and cultural values and the harmony of the country.’
Colombo (AsiaNews) - A ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the priesthood of the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, 77, was held yesterday evening, 7 July, at the Auditorium of the Archbishop's House in Colombo.
Also present was President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who addressed the assembly in no uncertain terms: ‘The government will have to undergo an investigation to uncover the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks (21 April 2019, ed.). It is a challenging task. However, we will ensure that justice is done to the victims.’
The event was also attended by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and other government ministers, religious leaders, ambassadors, commanders and the Inspector General of Police.
Dissanayake added that the government will listen to Cardinal Ranjith's frequent requests for justice for the victims of the tragic attacks that left nearly 300 people dead. ‘The cardinal sometimes makes a quiet request, other times he becomes influential when he speaks about the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. However, we will listen to him,’ he said.
Ranjith has always acted to demand transparency and accountability from the Colombo government, also criticising political leaders and institutions for failing to properly investigate and prosecute those responsible, acting as a moral voice and advocate for the affected families.
The second most senior cardinal in Sri Lanka after Cardinal Thomas Cooray, the Archbishop of Colombo and former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, was ordained a priest on 29 June 1975 by Pope Paul VI in St Peter's Square in the Vatican. Exactly half a century ago.
On the 29th of last month, Ranjith celebrated his 50th anniversary of priesthood, and on 30 June, a thanksgiving ceremony was held at St. Lucia's Cathedral in Kotahena, northeast of Colombo.
Yesterday, President Dissanayake also expressed his appreciation for the archbishop's lucidity during the Easter attacks: ‘The cardinal's patience and calm nature prevented the major problems that could have occurred at that time.’
Dissanayake went on to say that Sri Lanka needs leaders who can set an example for citizens in building a just society: ‘Sri Lankan society is in such a state today that relations between parents and children and even between clergy have become cold.’
For his part, Archbishop Ranjith reiterated to the president his request for a thorough investigation into the conspiracy behind the Easter attacks. ‘Do not listen to the sermons of the International Monetary Fund and other international organisations,’ he added, ‘but work to reduce the cost of living and remove the various hardships that people face.’ "Our country feels a strong need for a new beginning.
Therefore, we urge you to continue to work diligently to protect the religious and cultural values, the ancient harmony and peace of our country, which is the heritage of a Buddhist culture dating back more than 2,500 years and a prehistory that goes back even further, in order to lead our country to prosperity," said the archbishop.
He added: ‘We ask you to investigate 40 years of horrific crimes such as disappearances, murders, and criminal activities, as well as corrupt projects that have burdened the country with debt, and to continue to be active so that such acts of corruption do not occur in the future.’
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01/08/2019 16:09
