Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) - "The new government of President Mahinda Sirisena has undertaken the important task of ensuring the rule of law in the country and promote peace and harmony among different communities": this is what the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said, commenting on the first appointments of ministers of the new government.
As Fides learns, the Archbishop said that in recent months a situation had been created in which, in particular, religious minority communities felt "a little uncomfortable because of the activities of some extremist groups in the country". "It is therefore nice to see various ministries assigned to people of different faiths, who believe in their religion", said the Cardinal, who appreciated that the government has assigned the protection of Buddhist religious affairs to a Buddhist, of Hindu Religious Affairs to a Hindu, those related to Christian affairs to a Catholic.
Recalling that religion is a fundamental element for each person, the Archbishop of Colombo noted that "one cannot have harmony among different communities excluding religion from the inside of the person". The Cardinal concluded: "We live on this earth for a short period of time. We need to live in peace and together with others, trusting each other. To lead a country on the path of development, there must be peace and harmony, there must be an understanding among the different types of people belonging to different religions, with different ideas and social classes. This is how Sri Lanka can become a nation with one heart and one soul". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/01/2015)
