COLOMBO – Religious and ethnic parties must be banned; they do nothing but divide the country, said Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, in his homily for the National Day of the Sick, delivered in the basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Tewatte in Ragama, last week.
Referring to the Easter attacks last year, and to the slow progress in investigations to find the culprits, Cardinal Ranjith said religion must not divide or kill people: “If one religion destroys another, what is its meaning? Show me where such a God is!”
Noting that religious extremism has spread dangerously in the country, he wondered if religious leaders were responsible for the attacks. The suicide bombers targeted three churches – two Catholic and one Protestant – and three hotels. The explosions caused about 280 deaths, including 45 foreigners, and injured nearly 600.
After more than a year, justice has still not been done. “The investigation is underway. But the authorities have not found out who planted the bombs, who the organizers are and who financed the raids,” the Archbishop noted.
He said it was serious concern that the politicians and officials who failed in their responsibilities have yet to be identified: “We ask and hope that the government will keep its promises to the Church, punishing those responsible”.
The previous government was criticized for failing to investigate properly. “It behaved like Pontius Pilate, washing its hands” said Card. Ranjith, adding that the politicians and officials do not understand the suffering of the victims. “It is a question of humanity. What did Buddha and Mohammed preach about peace and the merciful God?” he asked.
He recalled that about 30 years ago, a Christian group had told him the faithful needed a Christian sectarian party to win their rights. “I told them we don’t want any Christian political parties,” the Archbishop said, adding, “The unity of Sri Lanka was shattered after independence and today we discuss issues such as what is the national language, who is the original people and who owns this country. It is really sad that we are still divided by race, religion and language “.
-asianews.it