Cardinal asks govt. to solve internal problem before trying to tackle international issues

By Norman Palihawadane

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith yesterday called on the government to pay attention to local issues and problems neglected by the authorities before trying to solve external problems by sending naval ships to ensure safety of international sea routes.

The Cardinal said so at a special service two years after the detection of a grenade at the All Saints’ Church, Borella. Neither the masterminds behind the Easter Sunday carnage nor the person who had placed the grenade had been identified, he said.

“No one still knows who was behind the disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda and the killing of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga. Everything has been swept under the carpet. Authorities seem to have prioritised safeguarding international sea routes over resolving burning issues in the country,” the Archbishop said. “We understand that 2024 is a year of elections. Let’s hope and pray that people will hand over the nation to a group of real leaders this time.”