Cardinal decries govt. for ‘promoting casinos, nightclubs and other evils’

By Norman Palihawadane

Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says the need of the hour is a revolution to change the existing political culture and people’s thinking so the country can achieve progress.

Addressing a gathering at the blessing and opening of newly-built three storeyed building complex and Rev. Fr. Leslie Fernando Auditorium of the St Jude College in Kurana, Negombo recently, the Cardinal said that the incumbent rulers could not be expected to bring about changes to develop the nation. “The rulers and their political henchmen are promoting casinos and nightclubs and many other evils in the name of promoting tourism. They claim promoting these social evils is the only way for us as a nation to steer ourselves out of the crisis. They are ready to go ahead with selling off remaining national assets to foreigners to become eligible for World Bank and IMF loans.

We should not let this happen, and change this political culture,” he said.

The Cardinal said that Sri Lanka today was in dire straits thanks to the short-sighted vision and policies of those who ruled this country since Independence. “We all are suffering because they promoted self-interest over the national interest. The politicisation of education was the reason for the deterioration of public morals. If we are to rebuild this nation, then we must ensure that our children should be educated enough to choose the right from the wrong. This needs a revolution of thought,” the Cardinal said.

Former Rectors and Vice Rectors of the college were felicitated at this ceremony. A concert and carols were presented by the students of the college. Rev. Fr. Gemunu Dias, General Manager of Catholic Schools, Rev. Fr. Ivan Fernando, former Director of Catholic Schools Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, Rector of St Peter’s College, Colombo and heads of Catholic schools in Negombo were present on the occasion.