Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal, requesting permission to make submissions in the case filed against former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay. 

The Cardinal has urged the Court to dismiss a petition filed by Suresh Sallay and stressed that ongoing investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) should not be obstructed.

Sallay has filed a petition seeking a writ order to nullify the detention directive issued under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which authorized the CID to detain and question him. 

He argues that the detention order is unlawful and should be rendered invalid. (Newswire)

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The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka has strongly rejected social media claims that Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith is using the Easter Sunday attack to extend his tenure, calling the allegations “entirely false” and a malicious attempt to mislead the public.

In a statement, the Bishops’ Conference said certain groups have recently targeted Cardinal Ranjith and other priests with insults online because of their efforts to uncover the truth behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attack and secure justice for victims.

The Conference emphasized that the claim of Cardinal Ranjith exploiting the tragedy to prolong his office is baseless. It noted that, under Canon Law, the authority to determine the official retirement date of priests rests solely with the Holy Father.

The statement revealed that Cardinal Ranjith, having reached the age of 75, has already submitted his resignation letter to the Pope. Until approval is granted, he remains bound to fulfill his responsibilities in office.

The Bishops’ Conference further underscored that the procedures of the Catholic Church cannot be compared with political power struggles, stressing that while civil law is tied to governance, the Church’s authority is rooted in divine service. (Newswire)

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Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, arrived in Sri Lanka today, on an official six-day state visit.

According to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher was received by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra upon his arrival in Sri Lanka. 

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher will remain in Sri Lanka until 08th November, the visit being undertaken at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Holy See, in the Vatican. 

During his visit, Archbishop Gallagher will call on President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and hold official talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath. 

A special commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations will also be held at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, where Archbishop Gallagher will deliver an address. 

The programme will further include visits to sites of cultural and religious significance across the country, including churches affected by the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019. (Newswire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has met the newly appointed leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV.

The Archdiocese of Colombo shared pictures on social media of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and Pope Leo XIV (Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from the US) engaging in cordial discussions. 

Sri Lanka’s Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, was among those nominated to succeed the late Pope Francis.

He participated in the papal conclave, the assembly of cardinals in the Vatican Palace in the Vatican City to elect a new pope. (Newswire)

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Social activist Namal Kumara has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) today.

The Police said he was arrested after reporting to the CCD to provide a statement. 

Namal Kumara has been arrested in connection to an audio tape circulated on social media defaming the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.

It is reported that the Archdiocese of Colombo had previously requested for a probe into the matter. (Newswire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has raised concerns over the government’s recent statements allegedly criticizing judges. 

Issuing a statement, the Archbishop of Colombo said that the absolute independence of the judiciary is the cornerstone of the Constitution and is something that must be guaranteed by the state.

He further said that therefore, it was the duty of all governmental and other institutions to respect and uphold the independence of the judiciary, ensuring that it remains free from any form of interference or undue influence. 

Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith stressed that the Church calls upon all concerned not to attack the last bastion of the protection of people. 

His comments come in response to recent statements by the government criticizing judges who have issued certain rulings unfavourable to them. 

Full statement;

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The Colombo Archdiocese has categorically refuted recent statements by the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera regarding a discussion with the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith in 2014.

Addressing the media today, the head of the communication committee of the Colombo Archdiocese, Father Cyril Gamini Fernando acknowledged the meeting between Ven. Gnanasara Thera and the Archbishop in 2014.

Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said, however, that they rejected the statements made by Ven. Gnanasara Thera regarding details of the discussion, especially that he had warned of the mastermind of the 2019 Easter attacks, Zahran Hashim.

“Ven. Gnanasara Thera claims that during the meeting he had informed the Archbishop to be wary of Zahran Hashim who was terrorising the Kattankudy area. The monk further claimed that he had warned the Archbishop to be alert as he could carry out an attack targetting Catholics,” Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said.

Clarifying that, however, no statements as claimed by the monk had been made or conveyed to the Archbishop, Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said the Archbishop strongly refutes the claims and that they are false. 

Father Cyril Gamini Fernando pointed out that such statements by Ven. Gnanasara Thera can cause issues within the general public and can also negatively impact the Archbishop of Colombo. 

Giving details of the discussion, Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said during the meeting, Ven. Gnanasara Thera had only mentioned that there was extremism spreading among the Muslim community and had not mentioned anything regarding Zahran Hashim. (Newswire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, his Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has slammed Sri Lanka’s Independence Day Celebrations held on Sunday (Feb 04). 

Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith pointed out that holding an Independence Day parade was disrespectful when several people were living in hunger in the country. 

Slamming the government for holding the parade for some foreign dignitaries, the Archbishop questioned if the celebrations were for the people or politicians. 

Sri Lanka’s 76th National Independence Day was celebrated at Galle Face in Colombo under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, as a special guest.

The ceremony included a 21-gun salute followed by the Independence Day parade conducted by the Tri-forces, Police, Civil Defence Force and National Cadet Corps. (NewsWire)

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National Catholic Mass Communications Director Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando has refuted recent claims by Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles involving the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka.

Minister Alles had earlier claimed that the Archbishop of Colombo had requested a favour from Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon after Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando of the Catholic Church was apprehended over an accident. 

Responding to the claims, Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando said the mentioned incident is completely false and the Archbishop did not make any such request.

Addressing the media today (Dec 22), Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando revealed that the Archbishop had only become aware of the arrest on the following day of the incident, by which time Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando had been released. 

Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando also denied claims by the minister that Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando had thanked Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon following his release.

Urging Minister Tiran Alles to refrain from making such false claims, Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando further requested the minister to prove his statement. (NewsWire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has acknowledged voicing objection to the appointment of Ali Sabry as the Minister of Justice under the previous government.

Responding to questions raised by reporters, the Archbishop explained that they had raised objections keeping in mind that the probe into the 2019 Easter attacks falls under the purview of the Justice Ministry.

He further said that the decision was taken not only based on the race or religion of Ali Sabry but also based on other contributing factors. 

The Archbishop also noted that, however, they have not objected to Ali Sabry’s appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“We did object to Ali Sabry being appointed as Justice Minister. A prominent Buddhist monk informed me about the appointment and inquired if this was a good move. Based on this I voiced my objection to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,” he said

He said concerns were initially raised on the appointment as it was thought that the Easter Sunday attacks were carried out by a certain religious group, which could influence Ali Sabry as he is from the same religion. 

“We were concerned that this might result in impacting the independent inquiry into the Easter attacks,” he said. 

The Archbishop accepted that, however, they changed their stance when it was found out that there was another conspiracy behind the Easter attacks. (NewsWire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has accused the government of selling parts of Sri Lanka to different countries leading towards its destruction.

Stating that Sri Lanka has always been a free country, the Archbishop added, “We have never been slaves of any state.”

Commenting on the government’s proposal to build a bridge between India and Sri Lanka, the Archbishop said a referendum should be held in order to seek the people’s consent for such a move.

Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith emphasized that making such decisions without the public’s approval was wrong. 

“By selling parts of our nation, Sri Lanka is bowing to other nations. The authorities are making various stupid decisions leading the country towards destruction. Having gained freedom, we now have to lose freedom,” he added. 

The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith made the remarks joining the Sunday Mass held at the National Basilica Church in Thewatte, Ragama on Sunday (Aug. 27). (NewsWire)

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