Arch-Bishop shuns POLITICS of RACE AND RELIGION
BY Ruwan Laknath Jayakody and Savani Sheshadi-2015-08-06
Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, at a media conference led by Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Christian and Catholic leaders yesterday expressed critical sentiments about established political parties and recently formed ones which clothed themselves with ethno-religious overtones.
He added that many candidates contesting the Parliamentary Election were also drug dealers, gamblers, thieves and rapists.
"We have amended the 1978 Constitution 19 times already. I don't know how many more times we will have to amend it. Some amendments were dumped on the people, so we need to change the Constitution completely to reflect the desires of the people," he said.
"We have amended the 1978 Constitution 19 times already. I don't know how many more times we will have to amend it. Some amendments were dumped on the people, so we need to change the Constitution completely to reflect the desires of the people," he said.
Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith added that although Sri Lanka won the war that did not imply that the work is done. "We must look at the issues faced by people in the North and East. Don't divide people into a minority and majority standing. Political parties that are founded on racial and religious lines do not suit Sri Lanka. All parties are responsible for the confusion in the country," he said.
One of the Heads of the Congress of Religions, Mahanayake of the Kotte Chapter of the Siam Nikaya, Ven. Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Thera, also came down hard on the inordinate emphasis on racial and religious identities by such political parties which are perceived to be attempts to propagate racism.
One of the Heads of the Congress of Religions, Mahanayake of the Kotte Chapter of the Siam Nikaya, Ven. Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Thera, also came down hard on the inordinate emphasis on racial and religious identities by such political parties which are perceived to be attempts to propagate racism.
All must vote responsibly, and carefully select candidates whodeserve the electors' votes, he said, adding that those who must represent the people in Parliament should be active politicians of unblemished character and conduct.
Meanwhile, Prof. Ven. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera said that while one cannot judge a man by educational qualifications only, there needs to be a minimum qualifying educational benchmark for potential candidates. In the absence of this, Parliament will be dominated by those involved in the trade of drugs and alcohol.
"We must elect good people to Parliament," the Thera urged.
"We must elect good people to Parliament," the Thera urged.
