The Court of Appeal has ordered that several intervening petitions linked to the case filed by former State Intelligence Service Director Suresh Sallay be taken up on August 4 and 6.

Sallay has petitioned against his arrest and detention by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). 

In response, eight parties, including Venerable Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera and the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, submitted intervening petitions seeking permission to make submissions.

When the matter was called today, Court of Appeal President Judge Rohantha Abeysooriya stated that the intervening requests would be considered after the submissions of President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, appearing for Sallay, are concluded.

With the agreement of lawyers representing the intervening petitioners, the Court directed that the applications be heard on August 4 and 6. (Newswire)

The post Court of Appeal to hear intervening petitions in Suresh Sallay case appeared first on Newswire.

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)

The post Bishops’ Conference rejects claims against Cardinal Ranjith over tenure extension appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assured that every possible step will be taken to ensure justice for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, without allowing the passage of time to obscure the truth. 

The President further emphasized that this is a challenge the government must confront, even within its own institutions.

President Dissanayake added that no matter how difficult the situation may be, justice must be served.

The President made these remarks on Monday, while delivering a speech at the felicitation ceremony organized by the Archdiocese of Colombo to mark the 50th Ordination Anniversary of His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s sacred priesthood. The event was held at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo.

Addressing the event, President Dissanayake stated that the life of His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith serves as an exemplary model in an era when the moral and spiritual values of society are in decline.

The President stated that His Eminence is deeply engaged in a tireless mission to uphold social harmony and spiritual upliftment. “He is a statesman who has rendered a significant service to the country, a theological scholar capable of articulating the teachings of the Bible with clarity, a powerful orator with the ability to awaken society and above all, a true humanitarian whose influence extends beyond these roles.”

Addressing the gathering, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith reflected on his 50 years of priestly service and commended President Anura Kumara Disanayake for his success in ending a 75-year era of autocratic rule. 

He also expressed appreciation for the President’s efforts to dismantle a political culture rooted in spreading division among ethnic communities and emphasized the need for a new approach as the country moves towards becoming a prosperous nation.

On this occasion, to mark the 50th Ordination Anniversary of His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s priesthood, a commemorative stamp and first-day cover were officially presented to the President.

His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was born in 1947 in the Polgahawela area of Kurunegala. He was ordained as a priest on June 29, 1975, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican by Pope Paul VI. Thereafter, he served in various roles including Assistant Parish Priest, Acting Parish Priest, Lecturer in theology and professor at the seminary. He is proficient in multiple languages, including Sinhala, Tamil, English, German, French, Spanish and Indonesian.

In 1991, under the leadership of then-Archbishop His Eminence Nicholas Marcus Fernando, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo, with his episcopal ordination taking place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Tewatte.

Subsequently, on June 16, 2009, Malcolm Ranjith was appointed as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo. A year later, on November 20, 2010, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Italy. With this appointment, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith became the second Sri Lankan to receive the blessing of holding the title of Cardinal. He has held numerous positions both nationally and internationally, including serving as chair of several international assemblies.

His Eminence has been the recipient of numerous international accolades, including the Thomas Aquinas Medal for Religious Studies awarded by the Thomas Aquinas College in the United States and the 7th Giuseppe Sciacca International Award for Cultural Achievement, conferred in 2008 by the President of the Italian Republic. A respected writer as well, he has contributed a multitude of articles to journals and newspapers. (Newswire)

The post Easter investigation : President reveals challenges within own Govt institutions appeared first on Newswire.

The names of 167 Catholics who lost their lives in bomb attacks targeting churches during the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks have been included in the catalogue of the Witnesses of the Faith by the Vatican, through the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

According to the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the names included are those who had lost their lives in bombings of St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade and St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya. 

He further said that the 167 victims of the Easter attacks have been honoured as Heroes of Faith by the Vatican. 

Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith revealed this during the main memorial service held at St. Anthony’s Shrine today, marking the sixth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. (Newswire)

The post Vatican names 167 Easter attack victims as Heroes of Faith appeared first on Newswire.

The post Government should be courageous to show that it will honour the people’s mandate appeared first on Newswire.

The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says attempts are being made to mislead the public regarding the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks.

Addressing a Sunday Service yesterday, the Archbishop said a new group, including former government officials and Parliamentarians, is now working to create confusion regarding the probe.

“Among the two reports of the former government, one contains the same recommendations that were made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter attacks. The only twist is that the new report has recommended legal action against two senior officials of the new incumbent government. It is evident that the former government has given the instruction related to the recommendation,” he said. 

Stating that they do not accept the two reports, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said the incumbent President has vowed to investigate the attacks and the Church will be waiting to see if it is fulfilled. 

His comments come after former MP Udaya Gammanpila’s warning to the government on two unpublished reports related to the 2019 Easter Attacks. 

Making a revelation to the media on the two reports today, Gammanpila said the reports recommend legal action against former Police officials Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekera. 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government recently appointed former SDIG Ravi Seneviratne as the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and former CID Director Shani Abeysekera as the Director of the Central Criminal Intelligence Analysis Bureau. (Newswire)

The post Gammanpila’s revealation : Cardinal says not accepting twisted reports appeared first on Newswire.

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;

The post Archbishop slams Govt for criticizing Judges appeared first on Newswire.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has refuted allegations raised by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith with regard to the probe into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. 

Issuing a statement, former President Rajapaksa said he categorically denies the allegations made against him by the Archbishop at an event held to mark the fifth anniversary of the Easter Sunday suicide bombings.  

Following is the full statement issued by Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa; 

The post Easter Attacks : Special statement from Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared first on Newswire.

The National People’s Power (NPP) has presented its 7-point action plan related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks to the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.

The action plan which consists of proposals to be implemented by an NPP government to address the inaction by authorities related to the Easter attacks, was handed over to the Archbishop at his official residence in Borella today. 

The NPP’s proposals have been made in view of the 5th anniversary of the attacks marked on April 21.

Issuing a statement this week, the NPP vowed that its future government will initiate necessary legal action as per its proposal to grant justice to the victims and relatives affected by the Easter attacks.

The NPP also vowed to initiate legal action against those found to be directly or indirectly involved in the attacks, which targeted several churches and hotels in Sri Lanka killing over 270 people. (Newswire)

The post Easter attacks : NPP’s 7-point action plan presented to Cardinal appeared first on Newswire.

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)

The post Archbishop slams Independence Day celebrations appeared first on Newswire.

The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has raised suspicions over the government’s failure to take action against those held responsible for Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.

Speaking to the media, the Archbishop pointed out that the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has issued its verdict on the matter and has identified those responsible for the crisis.

He further said that, however, doubts arise about the government not taking further action in this regard.

The Archbishop emphasized that a country cannot move forward if the law is not enforced fairly.

“The government must act according to the Court ruling. It is wrong of the government to disregard the Court ruling,” he added. (NewsWire)

The post Archbishop questions why Govt disregarding Economic bankruptcy SC ruling appeared first on Newswire.

Information has come to light of a group that had provided the necessary assistance for the terrorist outfit involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks to carry out the attack, the Archbishop of Colombo revealed.

His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith stated that they had received information that an individual or a group by the name of ‘Abu Hindh’ was behind the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks. 

He further stated that when evidence on ‘Abu Hindh’ was disclosed, one of the five judges of the Presidential Commission had questioned the witness about that name. 

“The witness had said that he could not reveal the name since the media was present, and had, instead, noted down the name on a piece of paper,”  Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said.

Questioning if an inquiry has been launched in this regard, the Archbishop revealed that his team was pursuing these documents as they intend to find out information in this regard. 

Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith also raised concerns over certain missing areas in the Presidential Commission reports. 

He further slammed the Sri Lankan Government for delaying justice over the 2019 Easter Sunday Terror Attacks.

The Archbishop made the remarks while addressing worshipers at an event held at St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya to place the statues of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and invoke blessings. (NewsWire)

The post Cardinal makes revelations linked to 2019 Easter Sunday Terror Attacks appeared first on Newswire.

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)

The post Archbishop slams Govt over bridge to India appeared first on Newswire.