Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, has reaffirmed his strong opposition to same-sex marriage while urging Sri Lankans to uphold and protect the traditional family structure based on the union between a man and a woman.
Speaking during a sermon at St. Anne’s Church in Beruwala, the Cardinal voiced concern over what he described as increasing propaganda influencing the younger generation, leading them to adopt values that stray from the traditional understanding of marriage.
“The new generation is being misled and is seeking temporary solutions without comprehending the true meaning and purpose of marriage,” Cardinal Ranjith said. He attributed this shift to global trends and the influence of certain organizations that, according to him, are promoting same-sex marriage in Sri Lanka.
The Cardinal stressed that the foundation of a family relies fundamentally on the involvement of both a man and a woman, asserting that alternative models of marriage are contrary to this principle.
Calling for vigilance, he urged the faithful to reject what he called “new trends that are harmful to society” and to remain steadfast in protecting the sanctity of traditional marriage.
Cardinal Ranjith’s remarks come at a time when discussions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and same-sex marriage have been gaining momentum globally, including in parts of South Asia. While Sri Lanka has made progress in addressing certain aspects of LGBTQ+ discrimination, same-sex marriage remains unrecognized under current laws.
