Courtesy Hiru News

Insults directed at religious leaders by certain government ministers are strongly condemned, according to His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo. The Archbishop shared these views while participating in a special church service held today (04) in Colombo to mark Independence Day.

Reflecting on the country’s cultural foundation, the Archbishop noted that the spiritual mindset and disciplined behaviour of the nation are rooted in the values brought by Buddhism. He emphasised that since Sri Lanka is a country shaped by religious traditions, national leaders have a responsibility to respect these institutions. He cautioned that attempting to build a society contrary to religious and moral values—while trapped in specific political ideologies—is not the path to genuine economic or social progress.

The Archbishop further criticised the growing trend where those in power attempt to suppress the right of Buddhist monks and other religious leaders to speak out on national issues. He asserted that true economic stability can only be achieved through righteous policies and pointed out that the Constitution itself grants foremost place to religious existence. Warning against following a path of moral decline seen in some secularised nations, he remarked that while political leaders provide many promises, the economy remains in a precarious state. He concluded by stating that religious thought should be a benchmark for national progress rather than a target for ridicule.