On 50th priestly ordination anniversary, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith hailed as beacon of integrity and morality for Sri Lankan society.
Newsroom (08 July 2025, Gaudium Press ) The Sri Lankan government has released a commemorative postal stamp honoring Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the nation’s leading Catholic figure, for his contributions to state and society, marking the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination. The ceremony, held on July 7 in Colombo, was attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, political leaders, Buddhist monks, Christian clerics, and members of the diplomatic corps.
President Dissanayake praised Ranjith as “a beacon of integrity” amid what he described as a decline in the moral and religious foundations of Sri Lankan society. “The fundamental relationships among parents and children, teachers and students, and clergy and laity have broken down and lost meaning,” Dissanayake said, emphasizing the need for figures like Ranjith to “inject new life and spirituality into our social fabric.”
The president highlighted Ranjith’s role in addressing societal challenges, noting that the cardinal has consistently raised his voice “about the obligations we have before the people, reminding us to act with integrity and commitment.” Dissanayake also reaffirmed his commitment to delivering justice for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, a cause Ranjith has championed.
Ranjith, the second Sri Lankan cardinal after Thomas Cooray, was ordained a priest by Pope Paul VI in Rome on June 29, 1975. His five decades of service have been marked by vocal advocacy for social justice, moral renewal, and accountability, particularly in the wake of the 2019 attacks that killed over 250 people.
Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thera, a prominent Buddhist scholar and philanthropist, lauded Ranjith’s leadership as “courageous” and a model for interfaith cooperation. “His efforts to improve the nation’s morality are tireless and set a powerful example for leaders of all faiths,” he said. Venerable Niyangoda Vijitha Siri Thera, another Buddhist monk, underscored the relevance of Ranjith’s actions amid Sri Lanka’s ongoing socio-economic crisis, noting, “His words embody wisdom, emphasizing the Buddha’s teachings as crucial for shaping our country.”
Surani Fernando, a survivor of the Easter Sunday attacks, credited Ranjith’s unwavering advocacy for keeping the pursuit of justice alive. “Without him, the victims’ calls for truth might have been ignored,” said Fernando, a teacher. Ranjith has publicly rejected several official investigation reports from the previous administration of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, dismissing them as lacking credibility.
During the July 7 ceremony, Ranjith urged the government to thoroughly investigate the Easter Sunday attacks to uncover the truth and deliver justice. He also called on President Dissanayake to prioritize alleviating the economic hardships faced by Sri Lankans, criticizing austerity measures advised by global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “Don’t listen to the IMF’s sermons. Focus on reducing the cost of living and easing people’s suffering,” Ranjith said.
Sri Lanka, with a population of approximately 22 million, is predominantly Buddhist (70%), with Hindus (12.6%), Muslims (9%), and Christians (7%) forming significant minority communities. The release of the stamp underscores Ranjith’s role as a unifying figure in a diverse nation grappling with economic and social challenges.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCAN News
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