Cardinal calls for snap polls

9 June 2023 12:24 pm - 43 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith called for an election so that people could elect a new government.

Speaking at a ceremony held to mark the centenary of St. Anthony's College Katana, Cardinal Ranjith said an election is necessary as it is not possible to develop the nation with rulers who do not love their nation.

"You cannot have a future with those who only think of their survival without thinking of the country's future," he said.

"We call for an election so that everyone who is over 18 years of age can decide on the nation’s future," he added.

"All we see today is an effort to bring in legislations to suppress the people’s rights,” he also said. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 43

Sri Lankan Friday, 09 June 2023 12:41 PM

He will have to contest for his followers

Junaid Friday, 09 June 2023 12:42 PM

While agreeing with the Cardinal, I think it’s only fair we allow the current president to continue until the end of the term, even though, I am not a supporter of his, give him credit for stabilising the country, which no other party leader could have done

Romesh Pathirana Friday, 09 June 2023 01:09 PM

This is the problem with Sri Lanka we forget and are naïve. What he could not do in the past how can it be done now? Don’t get fooled as our democratic rights are in jeopardy. Ranil Rajapaksha are one. Just get that to your head

Sokrates Friday, 09 June 2023 12:55 PM

Elections, and quick elections at that, are absolutely and unquestionably necessary in Sri Lanka. But the cardinal, who comes from a dictatorial system, is the last person who can demand that. Or can he demand a new election of the head of state in his country, the Vatican?

Power Friday, 09 June 2023 01:01 PM

HITLER will not hear any of these calls !

Tilak Friday, 09 June 2023 01:03 PM

So we have a new Election Commissioner

Felix Friday, 09 June 2023 01:04 PM

Why is he talking politics at a religious gathering

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 09 June 2023 03:46 PM

Sinhalese are generally like that. If not religion it will be race.

Please keep of politics big head Friday, 09 June 2023 01:13 PM

This religious leader wants to harm free speech. He is coming down of comedians and Pastor Jerome. There is enough of his needless pointless witch hunting about past Easters. I am Catholic but I know Cardinal and his cronies is not following biblical catholic approach. I am going to join evangelical protestant church rather than take my children too down the dark path of repressive religions dominant here.

Dee Friday, 09 June 2023 01:16 PM

Last time you gave such talk, elections were held in November 2019 and the whole country was suffering! Stay Off!

Rip Winkle Friday, 09 June 2023 01:25 PM

Like RW will jump up and do as he says. Still trying to be the next Pope, man?

Religous leader may have after death aspirations Friday, 09 June 2023 04:06 PM

He has done too much wrong to rise up to Pope, but maybe he is trying to be known as Saint after his eventual death. He may claim elections are miracle done through his intercession.

Fred Friday, 09 June 2023 01:36 PM

Sri Lankans lack fairness and patriotism respect only money and power.Otherwise how can we be in this mess.The cardinal has tried hard to bring justice for past incidents first by normal means now in unconventional ways.But he lacks the power they won't listen.It is a difficult situation for him

pansy Friday, 09 June 2023 01:45 PM

Nothing will have in banana republic... Back door sar will wait until baby king matures hand over and go for retirement... O ya the intelligent 69 mil will vote again as if nothing happened. Don't waste your energy cardinal.

KOLA KOTIYA Friday, 09 June 2023 01:49 PM

HOW YOU PROMOTED GR IN 2019 YOU CANT REMEMBER NOW.

Naomal Wagiswara Friday, 09 June 2023 01:53 PM

Cardinal. Mind your own business. Don’t get involved in politics.

Moiz Friday, 09 June 2023 01:59 PM

You campaigned for the donkey Gota in 2019. Now who is your preferred choice.

lanka peiris Friday, 09 June 2023 02:04 PM

Stop playing politics with your personal opinions. Attend to religious matters.

kandy Idiot Friday, 09 June 2023 02:14 PM

His master's Voice. He is not interest in Christianity but in Politics. Ha ha ha

Chris Friday, 09 June 2023 02:25 PM

Last time he asked us to vote for Gotta to keep the country safe etc. We got the worst president in history. Just look after the matters of the church. There is so much going on he knows nothing of.

Emsee Friday, 09 June 2023 02:32 PM

I wonder which politician or political group, His Eminence believes, "loves the Nation"?

Sivadevan Friday, 09 June 2023 02:35 PM

Funny. How do we know whether a candidate loves his nation or not? After all, let the government of 6.9 Mn finish its term as per the constitution. Don't forget that the same Sri Lankan voters will be voting in any future elections too.

Lion Friday, 09 June 2023 02:39 PM

Cardinal it is what the country needs , it’s very clear that those who have destroyed the country will never develop it since they are all part of the destruction.so the remedy is to allow the people to select their leaders

Sirisena Friday, 09 June 2023 02:44 PM

I was missing the cardinal's joke for the last few weeks. Here it came

Dolly Dias Friday, 09 June 2023 03:05 PM

The Church, as usual, interfering with state matters. The cardinal should concentrate on religious issues, not political affairs. Dolly

Sam Friday, 09 June 2023 03:13 PM

Who on earth are we supposed to vote for. There are no options and no one any better. Ranil is trying to do a good job as he only tentatively has the position. Give someone the mandate for 5 years and they will do nothing. Better to keep them on tenterhooks.

mk Friday, 09 June 2023 03:50 PM

i think its better he became a politician instead of being a priest. I think he will enjoy it more.

Ajith Friday, 09 June 2023 04:13 PM

This guy has started to dabble in political yet again. He should mind his business which is the church.

What god given rights does he have to demand for this Friday, 09 June 2023 04:19 PM

What is this minority leading busy body want? More mayhem, and more unbearable costs. Barely are assistance to the poor being rendered. Not enough medicines due to lack of money in hospitals, and yet this religious leader wants elections. Probably he never suffer because he is wealthy wit V8 vehicle to take him to most expensive private hospital for any illness he has. He is truly lost touch with the suffering of the majority of Buddhist and Hindu people here.

Sivalingam Friday, 09 June 2023 04:29 PM

Portuguese brought various beliefs and practices, since then we have been in trouble.

Born again Friday, 09 June 2023 04:30 PM

Never trust a man in a frock.

Tissa Fernando Friday, 09 June 2023 04:38 PM

He should stick to calling for regular attendance of youth following their faith at the Church services .

R.Anthony Friday, 09 June 2023 11:16 PM

Where "Ignorance is bliss, it's folly to be Wise "

Gb Friday, 09 June 2023 11:27 PM

Don't be fooled by Pro gov commentary, they are paid affiliates to spread lies so gov doesn't look so bad, true traitors to sri lankan people, they will be roaches next life

Nali perera Saturday, 10 June 2023 03:07 AM

It will the country down a precipice for short term gains ! why is Cardinal getting involved in politics ? There is time and place this type of views by a head of religious order !

Sira Saturday, 10 June 2023 04:15 AM

cardinal must not talk politics, please. You can tell this in ROme or in Portugal, not in Sri Lanka, please. Your people destroyed the country. This is the biggest conspirator of the country

Whats wrong with the Cardinal Saturday, 10 June 2023 05:24 AM

Let this President stabilize the economy. Give some time to do that. With an election and a new leadership, it will be devastating for the healing economy. What agenda the Cardinal has, I don't understand. Does he want economic turmoil again?

Fred Saturday, 10 June 2023 06:18 AM

Power is what counts in Sri Lanka not right or wrong.It has become a disgusting place .Maybe all these foreign investors see it differently.Hope thay are right.Or is it being handed over while excited S Lankans quarrel. Time will tell.In the meantime there are mouths to feed sons and daughters to educate

kumar Saturday, 10 June 2023 08:14 AM

I think His Eminence should focus on missionary works rather than poking nose in to local politics.

MWAI Fernando Saturday, 10 June 2023 08:15 AM

Whether what he says is right or wrong, he seems to be a very popular person in the country. By reading all these comments one can understand how many intelligent people are interested in what he says. For Topics like, an assistant Manager is beaten to death in custody or selling of Telecom or importing of Chicken and many other articles regarding the actions that could harm the Country , how many comments are there ????? Cardinal says we need an election . This is the wish of over 90% of the people of the Country.

Citizen2023 Saturday, 10 June 2023 08:50 AM

Every citizen, even Cardinel has his right for freedom of speech. He is a head of a large section of a community in SL. In view of the sufferings faced by large section of the people as a result of the corrupted politicians, anyone has the right to call for a general election. Hence its not right to condemn the Cardinal's call.

C.G. Vithanage Saturday, 10 June 2023 11:44 AM

Cardinal has the rigt to give political advise s in a highly religious political regime where all religions are hugely absued by politicians, cheevadharies and other prelates in descending order from former to latter. But Cardinals reliance on Rajapakshas wasn't seems under the guidance of his spritual faith. Only that BLAST brought his senses back.

Exprez Sunday, 11 June 2023 12:46 AM

Abolish the executive Presidency right now, for which the majority of the people in parliament will support the cause. The Westminster system is what suits to Lankan model of politics.

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Cardinal calls for snap polls

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