Cardinal tells candidates, don’t use my picture

• Some candidates use their old photographs taken with me for their propaganda

By Yohan Perera   

Alleging that some candidates contesting for the general election are using his pictures on leaflets and advertisements without his permission, Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has urged them not to use his picture in propaganda material without his permission.   

“I have noticed that some candidates use their old photographs taken with me for their propaganda material. This is done without my permission and consent. Therefore, I urge the candidates contesting for the general election not to use my pictures without my consent,” Cardinal Ranjith said in a special announcement.  “I must clearly state that the Catholic Church does not support any particular political party or a candidate. No one can take away the rights enjoyed by the voters to vote for the party and candidate of their choice. It is an alienable right of the voters to cast their votes in keeping with the dictates of their own conscience,” he added.