Sri Lankan cardinal calls for ‘politics of compassion’
Malcolm Ranjith had earlier called for a new constitution to foster national unity
Feb 04, 2025

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s top Catholic leader Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has called on the nation’s politicians to refrain from suppressing people and prioritize compassion, reconciliation and mutual love.
“We have endured a long war fueled by anger and hatred, but now is the time to love one another. Politicians should not control the people with strict regulations," Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo said on Feb. 1.
He was referring to Sri Lanka’s deadly civil war between the security forces and Tamil rebels from 1983-2009, which independent estimates suggest left more than 100,000 people dead and tens of thousands injured.
At least 40,000 civilians died during the final days of the conflict, according to the UN estimates. At least 10 priests were killed during the war.
Ranjith made the remarks while blessing a new Church at Kalagedihena in Nittabuwa.
He said country’s political leaders should emulate the example of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake who has been trying to become a unifying force to heal the wounds of the nation.
"We witnessed how the people of Jaffna warmly embraced President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his visit to the North, showing a strong desire among the people there to reconcile with the South," he said.
Dissanayake, country’s first left-wing president visited Jaffna, the main city in Tamil-dominated northern region which was a hotbed of conflict during the long-drawn civil war, on Jan. 31.
The leftist coalition led by Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) secured 62 percent votes in the presidential election last September. It won overwhelming majority votes in the Tamil-dominated Jaffna Peninsula, the first for a mainstream political party since the country won independence from Britain in 1948.
Sri Lanka’s civil war, resulting from ethnic conflicts between the Sinhala majority and minority Tamils, is blamed for much of the country’s political, economic and social instability. During the conflict, both parties were blamed for serious human rights violations by watchdog groups.
Ranjith had earlier called for a new constitution to foster national unity, ensure democratic governance, and tackle corruption.
Ashani Amandi, a former student of Jaffna University said the warm embrace President Dissanayake received from the Tamil people highlighted the strong desire for reconciliation and unity between the North and South.
"While unity feels distant, the communities have placed their trust in the government, hoping new laws and policies will foster lasting peace and unity across Sri Lanka,” said Amandi, a rights activist.
Youth activist Surin Amarakoon said that reconciliation and sustainable peace should prioritize the youth, who are more open to new ideas.
He emphasized that the country needs fresh air and the energy of young blood.
“The present government has a golden opportunity to foster reconciliation, implement new laws for permanent peace, ensure no wars for future generations, and allow us to live together as one family,” he said.--ucanews.com
Total Comments:0