Harin accuses Archbishop of engaging in politics

22 June 2020 09:25 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Minister Harin Fernando alleged that Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith was directly involved in obtaining a decisive 5% of votes for Gotabaya Rajapaksa during last 2019 presidential election.

He made these comments adressing a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) rally.

"During the presidential election 42% of the votes were slotted for Sajith while 52% of the votes were for Gotabaya. If 5% of Gotabaya's camp voted for Sajith, the percentages would be equal at 47% for each," the former Minister explained.

"Then who was responsible for changing this 5 per cent? The Easter Sunday attack issues were tangled with the Catholic vote," he claimed.

Fernando also expressed his disappointment that the Archbishop is involved in politics. "I'm disgusted that the Archbishop is engaged in politics. I called the Archbishop one day. The Archbishop had said that the Minister son saved his life, and that his people lost their lives.
“He was completely engaged in politics. They were the ones operating this 5% game," Fernando charged.

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Comments - 26

PonSivarajah Monday, 22 June 2020 09:45 AM

In Sri Lanka all the clergy are involved in politics, but not in foreign nations. Its a shame of the clergy for not doing their religious and spiritual obligations and going behind politicians for perks. God save Sri Lanka

Clear as mud Monday, 22 June 2020 09:47 AM

Harin, I'm a Sri Lankan who visited SL in August 2019. At that time I realised who had won the election to be held later that year. The poor UNP was in disarray. SLPP's candidate did not win the election. The UNP candidate lost. Hope you get my pun.

non catholic Monday, 22 June 2020 10:02 AM

i beleive this man harin is a complete ediot.the head of the c. church is not doing politics but directing the People.this is necessary when fools like harin are lawmakers.i do hope this foolish a h. wont be elected to p. this time.

Namal Monday, 22 June 2020 10:09 AM

sad but true..and those who disagree are BLIND

Antany Peter Monday, 22 June 2020 10:10 AM

You were in power, but failed to protect the local people, tourists and economy. Don't blame the Archbishop, but blame yourselves. Shame on you for accusing the Archbishop.

Roshanaly Monday, 22 June 2020 10:10 AM

Harin careful, before you comment.you will end up like Rajitha white van case.

Rohan Monday, 22 June 2020 10:15 AM

Archbishop’s loyalty is not fro any anyone in Sri Lanka but to Rome. The legacy of being ruled by the Europeans.

Nic Xavier Monday, 22 June 2020 10:27 AM

Harin - you have hit the nail on its head. This fellow wears the cloak of a cardinal but is very much a stooge of MR et al. This chap should be ex-communicated from the church. He is arrogant "s.o.b" who has vacated the call for donning priestly garments. This fellow invited MR to speak from the lecturn of the church at the funeral of former, much beloved, revered, respected and humble Archbishop of Colombo and desecrated the sanctum of the church and caused the dead body of the late Archbishop to rattle! The poor, gullible catholics of the coastline think this fellow is Jesus reborn! Beware, this fellow is a green snake in the green grass - a venomous rabid communalist who is known to incite communal hatred within the catholics.

Mahendra Monday, 22 June 2020 10:31 AM

Was it not known from a long time back ?

M Monday, 22 June 2020 11:35 AM

YES. NEXT YEAR RESIGN FROM ARCHIBISHOP AND JOIN POLITICAL PARTY. PRESENTLY ONLY. HINDU. SWAMY NOT INVOLVED ANY POLITICS JAYA MANGALAM

ANTON Monday, 22 June 2020 10:35 AM

YOU ARE 100% CORRECT MR. HARIN. THE ARCHBISHOP WAS DOING A NASTY AND POLITICS FROM THE DAY OF THE ATTACK.

Mk Monday, 22 June 2020 10:42 AM

PRESENTLY ALL RELIGIONS PRIESTS BECAME POLITICIANS ONLY. I THINK THESE PRIESTS THEY ONLY KEEPING THE RELIGIOUS BOOKS ON HANDS AND DRESSED AS PER RELIGION DRESS CODE THATS ALL. AFTERWARDS LIKE BEGGARS ROOMING ON THE ROAD AND INVOLVES IN POLITICS. THEY NOT TEACH RELEVANT RELIGION. THIS ONLY OUR BANANA REPUBLIC SRILANKA. EVEN THOUGH POLITICIANS ALSO BEHIND THEM ONLY. RELIGION BOOKS MOST THESE GUYS ARE LEARNED “.FILTH” ONLY.

Damian Perera Monday, 22 June 2020 10:43 AM

If your Govt did your job this could’ve have been prevented Don’t blame others for your continuous failures

BigEars Monday, 22 June 2020 10:44 AM

Good. I always do not like these people in fancy dress (yellow and multicoloured) as follow delusions. Delusions are loosing footing in the majority population of the world. Delusions result is underdeveloped countries.

Nimal Monday, 22 June 2020 11:01 AM

We do not wish to comment as both of them are already in muddy pools of politics. One is no different from the other.

Shani Monday, 22 June 2020 11:02 AM

How pathetic is thid. You lost the 5% percent not because of the Cardinal. You lost the 5% because: 1. Poor policies 2. Ignored the general public 3. Sold the country 4. Blamed religious leaders 5. Wasted public funds on unnecessary stuff such as falling balloons in the middle of the night 6. Laughing at people during the press conference after the attacks 7. Played the blame game on the previous government for 5 years instead of doing anything 8. Your leader's speeches are like a joke. The list goes on and on. Yet you have the courtesy to blame the Cardinal for your team's fault? You just reached a new low. People around the country was suffering. They needed a leader with vision, who can keep their word and work for the people.

jobber Monday, 22 June 2020 11:25 AM

That is part of his job!!!

ravin Monday, 22 June 2020 11:29 AM

Yes, it hurts. Because of general public will get to know more and more the way drama unfolds. Keep blaming everyone. But do not take responsibility of all misdoings. Ask your father how to react now. Ah ! sorry hope he is doing well at home ?

Barry Monday, 22 June 2020 11:43 AM

Mr Harin, Why don't you talk about Buddhist monks engaged in politics. You are scared of them.

the catholic Monday, 22 June 2020 11:45 AM

Yes..you just doubled that 5%..this time you will lose 10%..

Darrel Monday, 22 June 2020 11:48 AM

If your father knows about the attacks why did you keep your mouth shut? You would have got more than 5% you morone.

anthony Monday, 22 June 2020 11:56 AM

Absolutely true. He is not the shepard looking after his flock. He is a follower of the Rajapakse's since he was made a cardinal through the back door by the Rajapakse's

Sri Wickrema Monday, 22 June 2020 07:52 PM

This cardinal did not allow any other bishop or priest to perform Sunday holly mass over the TV during the lockdown. Is he the almighty ?

Antony Jude Monday, 22 June 2020 08:53 PM

Agreed with Harin. Archbishop doesn't act as a catholic priest instead he acts as a bias individual. Firstly he should stop working for corrupted politicians and try to be a good Christian.

james Monday, 22 June 2020 09:10 PM

Harin, Atlast you said something is very true. The archbishop is our spiritual leader and we expect more spiritual things from him and not working for somebody's agenda.

True Muslim Monday, 22 June 2020 09:12 PM

The day after the Easter attack I visited my friend who lost his wife and daughter. There I met Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapakse face to face and told him " Sir, next year around this time you will be the leading the country". I said that because the UNP govt let down not only the Christians also the Muslims. So don't blame the Archbishop blame yourselves for the downfall. Having said that I belive religion and race should be completely separated from the government. Ban political parties with names such as Sinhala, Muslim, Tamil, ect.

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Harin accuses Archbishop of engaging in politics

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