Religious and ethnic parties must be banned: they do nothing but divide the country, says 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.
Referring to the Easter attacks last year, and to the slow progress in investigations to find the culprits, Cardinal Ranjith recalled that religion must not divide or kill people: “If one religion destroys another, what is its meaning? Show me where such a God is!”
According to the Archbishop, religious extremism has spread dangerously in the country. He wonders if religious leaders are 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 nearly 600 victims.
After more than a year, justice has still not been done. “The investigation is underway – under-lined Cardinal Ranjith – but the authorities have not found out who planted the bombs, who the organizers are and who financed the raids.”
He continued that it is of serious concern that those 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.”