The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has urged Sri Lankans to mark this Christmas with compassion and restraint as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of one of its worst natural disasters in recent history.
In a Christmas message issued on Monday, the Archbishop of Colombo said more than one and a half million people have been displaced and “an uncounted number” remain buried under rubble and earth in the upper regions following landslides and severe flooding.
“It is a most painful situation,” he wrote, noting that the Christian community is entering a season traditionally associated with joy and celebration. He said it was difficult to celebrate fully while “thousands of our fellow citizens are without their loved ones, buried under rubble due to earth slips, in refugee centres and without any of their belongings except the clothes they were wearing.”
Cardinal Ranjith appealed to the faithful to refrain from excessive celebrations, extravagance, and waste during the holiday season, urging them instead to focus on helping those affected by the disaster.
“Celebrate, by all means, yes, but make it more of a moment of spiritual happiness and concern for the needs of those who suffer,” he said. “Assist as much as possible those who need a helping hand, those who lost their loved ones, and those who lost their houses and belongings.”
He called for a Christmas defined by love, sharing and solidarity, describing it as an opportunity to make the season “a deeply spiritual and joyful experience.”
Cardinal Ranjith concluded by wishing the nation a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful year ahead, invoking blessings on all those affected. (Newswire)
