Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo condemns Harin’s statement

• His derogatory comments against his eminence were totally unfounded and uncalled for
• It was his eminence who gave leadership to a country weakened in political turmoil

I’m disgusted that the Archbishop is engaged in politics. The Archbishop had said that the Minister son saved his life, and that his people lost their lives.
He was completely engaged in politics. 
-Harin Fernando at Medirigiriya rally on June 20,2020

The Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo yesterday expressed shock and condemned the recent statement made by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) national list candidate Harin Fernando that the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had played politics during the presidential elections.

A statement issued from the Archdiocese of Colombo said:.  

We the auxiliary bishops of Colombo together with the Catholic Clergy of the Archdiocese of Colombo view with great concern the statement made by former Member of Parliament Harin Fernando at a political rally on June 20 2020. His derogatory comments against his eminence were totally unfounded and uncalled for and have been made for cheap political gain. He has treated his eminence with derision when he stated that because of his eminence, the UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa had been deprived of the catholic votes during the last presidential election. This is totally a fabrication of his own imagination.  

We are shocked by his attack and expressly condemn such a misconstrued criticism of his eminence, especially when Mr. Fernando has openly confessed that his father had warned him of the impending disaster prior to the incident and prevented him from going to church.  

Lest one forget, it was his eminence who gave leadership to a country weakened in political turmoil and it was solely due to his efforts that clashes between the different communities were prevented in the aftermath of tragic Easter Sunday bombing.  

These comments have tarnished the good name of his eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith under whose shepherdly care were the most affected victims of the Easter Sunday attacks and who still boldly appears for the cause of the innocent victims of the attack. It is very appalling that Mr. Fernando attacks the leadership of the Catholic Church in such a disparaging manner and we urge those concerned to take steps to correct this situation with immediate effect and restore the image of the esteemed high office of the Catholic hierarchy.  

The archdiocese of Colombo as always will be impartial in our stance politically, as we are committed to all efforts of upholding the law of the country , unity amongst all religions and freedom of every person in our nation.   
The statement was signed by Rev Maxwell Silva, Rev D. J Anthoney Jayakody the two auxiliary bishops of Colombo, Frs Jude Samantha Kumara Fernando, Fr Freely Muthukudarachchi, Francis Senanayake, Fr. Joseph Patric Perera, Daya Sellton Welikadarachchi, Fr. Nihal Ivan Perera , Clswan de Croos and Fr Manokumaran Nagaratnam who holds various positions in the archdiocese of Colombo.    

Lest one forget, it was his eminence who gave leadership to a country weakened in political turmoil