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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Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith participated in the Second extraordinary consistory convened by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 26 and 27 June 2026.

The special advisory gathering, held at the Pope’s invitation, brought together 178 cardinals from across the world to discuss pressing issues facing the Church and the global community.

Proceedings began with a Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by four sessions at the Paul VI Audience Hall.

Discussions focused on the current state of the Church, the promotion of world peace, the process of synodality, and the Pope’s new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, drawing on his long pastoral and spiritual experience, shared his insights and contributed meaningfully to the deliberations.

The consistory concluded with a Holy Mass on 29 June at St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, celebrated under the leadership of the Holy Father. (Newswire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, says investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks are making progress under the current government.

Addressing the special mass held this morning to mark seven years since the attacks, the Archbishop noted that certain factions are attempting to obstruct the investigations.

He expressed regret over the Attorney General and his Department delaying action despite directives from the Presidential Commission to initiate proceedings against officials, including Presidents, Defence Ministry officials, and Police, who failed to carry out their duties in connection with the attacks.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith further stated that it is essential for the Criminal Investigations Department to investigate individuals directly or indirectly involved in the attacks, irrespective of their status.

“Finding the mastermind of the Easter attacks is ensuring justice and upholding the fundamental rights of the victims and their families,” he said.

The Archbishop also called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to fulfil his promise made at Katuwapitiya Church in October 2024 that the government would not allow the truth to fade with time.

He urged the President to conduct a comprehensive, truth‑based investigation to uncover the reality behind the 2019 Easter attacks, adding that they hope current efforts will be continued.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith stressed that their struggle for justice will not end until the truth is revealed. (Newswire)

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Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has strongly criticized the government’s ongoing education reforms, claiming they strip parents of their rights and undermine Sri Lanka’s cultural and religious foundations.

Speaking at a ceremony held at St. Joseph’s Church in Hanwella, the Cardinal expressed grave concern over the sexual education curriculum recently introduced by the Ministry of Education. 

He alleged that the program promotes ideas that conflict with traditional views on marriage, family life, and morality.

“Today, various programs are being implemented in society that undermine married life. One such issue is the sexual education curriculum recently prepared by our Ministry of Education. What exactly are they teaching our children through this? Starting from children as young as six years old and continuing until adulthood, this sexual education teaches various forms of wrongful behaviour, telling children that they can engage in these acts, that they are acceptable, and that there is nothing wrong with them. We see that the present government is promoting an education reform system that takes away this right from parents. This is something we cannot accept,” Cardinal Ranjith said.

He stressed that Sri Lanka’s heritage culture, civilization, and values, rooted in Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, must not be abandoned in favour of foreign influence. 

“If we betray our own principles by bowing down to the money received from Western countries and adopting the various abnormalities seen there, it is unacceptable. No government has the right to govern this country if it interferes with the nation’s cultural heritage,” he noted.

The Archbishop further warned that programs influenced by international agencies, including the United Nations and its population control bodies, were eroding family structures and damaging parent–child relationships.

“Families are being destroyed, children are being turned against their parents, children are encouraged to disobey parents, and are allowed to do whatever they want,” he said.

While acknowledging that children’s rights must be respected, Cardinal Ranjith emphasized that such rights should not be misused to weaken family bonds. 

“Children do have human rights, that is true. But turning children against their parents is not what human rights mean. What should exist between parents and children is a foundation of love,” he added.

The Archbishop’s remarks underlined the growing criticism from religious leaders over the government’s education reform agenda, which they argue risks undermining Sri Lanka’s cultural identity and moral values. (Newswire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, says certain laws from the Western world are entirely incompatible with Sri Lanka when implementing the proposed legislation concerning the punishment of children.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith made these remarks while attending the Divine Jubilee Mass organized by alumni and staff of St. John’s Baptist College, Nugegoda, in celebration of its 150th anniversary.

The Archbishop emphasized that children should be guided onto the correct path through discipline, and that not all laws from the Western world should be adopted into Sri Lanka’s education system.

“This creates a rift between children and parents. If parents are restricted like this, what about teachers? Teachers can’t even think freely. If a student misbehaves, a teacher might say, ‘Don’t grow your hair that long, cut it before coming to school.’ But if the teacher says that, the child could go to the police and claim the teacher caused psychological distress. They could even arrest the teacher. That’s wrong. We cannot accept this,” he said. 

Pointing out that what works well in Western countries doesn’t necessarily suit Sri Lanka, the Archbishop said, “We have our own culture, systems, and values that deserve respect.

He further urged education authorities not to go down that path, appealing not to obstruct the tendency to instill respect, love, and devotion in children toward their parents and teachers. (Newswire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday. 

According to the President’s Office, the Archbishop was accompanied by members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka for the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith briefed the President on key matters discussed at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which is held three times a year.

The dialogue also focused on ideas and proposals that have emerged within the Catholic Church.

Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, along with other members of the Conference, attended the meeting. (Newswire)

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A group of individuals is working in collaboration with foreign organizations to promote homosexuality within Sri Lanka, the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, said. 

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said attempts are underway to include young men and women for this purpose. 

“A group of psychologists are part of this initiative. They provide certificates to help any child who wishes to change his/her gender. Those who obtain these medical certificates can obtain new birth certificates under their newly identified gender. A person born as a boy can obtain a new birth certificate identifying as a girl. The Health Ministry also issues a certificate in this regard. Thereafter, they can use this document to marry someone of their own gender,” he said. 

The Archbishop said that secret attempts are being made to change Sri Lanka’s marriage laws to include these sorts of marriages, further warning that this could pose a threat to the country in the future.

“Defining homosexuality as a way of life and misleading youths, sabotaging their ordinary way of life, including marriage, is a threat to the youths of our nation,” he said. 

Stating that these individuals claim that we do not respect their fundamental human rights, he said this is considered contradictory to the country’s culture. 

The Archbishop further pointed out that certain political parties, as well as political leaders, are involved in this effort.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith made these remarks while attending a ceremony held in Colombo yesterday. (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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The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has paid his last respects to His Holiness, Pope Francis.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is currently at the Vatican City attending the funeral of the late Pope Francis. 

The Vatican has announced that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday at 10 am in the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica.

The coffin of the Argentine pontiff, who died on Monday aged 88, will then be taken inside the church and from there taken to the Rome basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial. (Newswire)

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The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has urged the President to cleanse society of all elements that encouraged, aided and abetted anti-democratic and politically motivated acts of terrorism.

He made the request while addressing the main memorial service held at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade today, marking the sixth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that had been appointed by then President Maithripala Sirisena to investigate the 2019 Easter attacks had failed to find the broader forces involved in the attacks.

He further said it was evident that there were attempts at sabotage to derail the investigations after the 2019 Presidential Election.  

“I urged you to remain patient, not to take revenge and not let feelings take charge, by making the promise that the perpetrators will be brought to justice somehow. I made the promise because I understood that there were a more powerful group behind the seven terrorists who carried out these attacks,” he said. 

The Archbishop pointed out that the Presidential Commission report revealed two recommendations, which were;

1. Investigate Easter attacks mastermind Zaharan Hashim’s involvement in extremism  
2. The inaction of the political leaders and the intelligence chiefs of the time, despite prior intel from India, which needed to be penalized.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said, however, that the commission failed to identify the broader forces at work, those who were involved in the operations, and who assisted/aided this, and had also failed to issue recommendations to address these factors. 

He said the commission had also not paid attention to some other important factors, maybe because it thought that the investigation into these mysteries and issues would not receive the government’s endorsement. 

The Archbishop further outlined the following factors, which the commission had failed to probe;

• What happened to the wife of the Katuwapitiya bomber, Sarah Jasmin?
• Who is ‘Sonic Sonic’? 
• What is his link to Matale Podi Zaharan, and the reasons for involving the ISIS?
• The incident of a senior Police officer preventing the inspection of a truck near Gelanigama on the Southern expressway. 
• The actions of a senior Police officer who attempted to conceal details regarding the murders of two Police Constables in Vavunathivu.
• Investigating the links between the 7th bomber and links to state intelligence.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said the commission was not given the legal powers to investigate these matters, and the time was also insufficient, adding that, however, it was evident that they had tried their best under the circumstances. 

The Archbishop revealed that, however, there was evidence of sabotage attempts to derail investigations after the 2019 Presidential Election, despite those elected promising to investigate the Easter attacks. (Newswire)

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