July 08, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reiterated his government’s firm commitment to ensuring justice for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, vowing that the passage of time will not be allowed to blur accountability or suppress the truth.
Speaking on Monday (07) at a special event held in Colombo to honour the 50th anniversary of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s ordination, President Dissanayake acknowledged that the path to justice may prove difficult and at times even demand introspection within the very institutions of the state.
Nevertheless, he pledged that these challenges will not deter the government from confronting the past with honesty and resolve.
In his remarks, the President underscored the moral responsibility of the state to address this national tragedy with full transparency and fairness. He noted that healing cannot occur without truth and justice, and made it clear that political convenience would not take precedence over moral duty.
The ceremony, organised by the Archdiocese of Colombo, was held at the Archbishop’s House to celebrate Cardinal Ranjith’s half-century of service to the Catholic Church. During his address, President Dissanayake paid tribute to the Cardinal, describing him as a rare figure of spiritual depth, intellectual clarity, and unwavering moral courage.
He lauded the Cardinal’s consistent advocacy for social harmony and his fearless voice on issues of justice, truth, and national unity.
The President described Cardinal Ranjith as a beacon of integrity at a time when society’s spiritual and ethical foundations face erosion. “His Eminence is not merely a religious leader; he is a statesman, a scholar of theology, a compelling orator and above all, a humanitarian whose influence transcends religious and political boundaries,” the President said.
Cardinal Ranjith, reflecting on his five decades of ecclesiastical service, commended President Dissanayake for his leadership and his success in moving the country away from entrenched authoritarian rule. He praised the President’s efforts to dismantle divisive political structures and called for a new era of unity and progress.
To mark the Cardinal’s milestone, a commemorative stamp and first-day cover were ceremonially presented to the President. The occasion was attended by religious leaders, dignitaries and well-wishers from across the country.
Born in 1947 in the village of Polgahawela in Kurunegala, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1975 at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican by Pope Paul VI. Over the decades, he has served in a multitude of roles – from parish priest to professor of theology and eventually as Archbishop of Colombo. Fluent in several languages including Sinhala, Tamil, English, German, French, Spanish and Indonesian, he has been a leading voice in both national and international religious circles.
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop in 1991, he rose to become Archbishop in 2009 and was elevated to the College of Cardinals a year later. Only the second Sri Lankan to hold this title, Cardinal Ranjith has also served on various global church councils and has received numerous accolades for his contributions to religious thought and interfaith dialogue.
Among his honours are the prestigious Thomas Aquinas Medal for Religious Studies from the United States and the Giuseppe Sciacca International Award for Cultural Achievement presented by the President of Italy. A prolific writer and theologian, the Cardinal continues to influence both ecclesiastical and civic life in Sri Lanka.
