Editorial
Law of jungle rules, but in nice cloths. Today morning, in the usual display of arrogance and disregard for both democratic principles and his sacred role (Click here to watch the video), Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has taken the unprecedented step of endorsing the sitting president right after casting his vote and near the polling station itself. By brazenly urging the public to vote for the candidates of the President’s party in such a setting, the cardinal crosses a line that not only disregards election law but insults the very core of Sri Lanka’s democratic spirit. This is not a mere lapse in judgement; it is an abuse of moral authority and a disgrace to the people he purports to serve.
This flagrant intrusion into the democratic process casts a shadow of doubt over the cardinal’s integrity and exposes a disturbing truth: Cardinal Ranjith has become a master at wielding religious influence for political gain. Sri Lankan law strictly prohibits electioneering on voting day, a necessary measure to protect citizens from undue influence in their most sacred civic duty. Yet, in a move that can only be seen as a blatant defiance of law and decency, the cardinal has turned his back on these principles, ignoring the importance of his role and undermining the foundational ideals of free and fair elections.
Such meddling is without precedent in Sri Lanka, a nation that has long cherished both its religious heritage and democratic values. Spiritual leaders historically upheld a respectful distance from political affairs, allowing their followers to exercise their democratic rights in peace. But Cardinal Ranjith’s reckless behaviour suggests a troubling shift, one that should send a chill down the spine of any Sri Lankan who values freedom. The biblical warning “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15) has never felt more apt. When religious authority is twisted into a political weapon, the very fabric of faith and democracy begins to unravel.
If unchecked, such conduct sets a dangerous precedent for Sri Lanka. The law is clear, and yet the cardinal’s actions mock it with impunity, suggesting he considers himself beyond the reach of consequences that would surely apply to any ordinary citizen. A society that tolerates such double standards invites chaos. The Election Commission and law enforcement must act decisively, not merely to uphold the law but to remind every figure of influence that power does not grant privilege over justice. If the powerful are allowed to manipulate the system, democracy itself is at risk.
This incident forces us to ask: what drives a man of faith to sully his role in such a way? The Bible’s warning in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” speaks volumes here. Cardinal Ranjith’s choice to trade the purity of his spiritual calling for worldly influence reveals a deep moral failure, a betrayal not only of his followers but of his own sacred commitment. What worth is a religious title when its bearer stoops to playing the game of political manipulation, undermining the trust placed in him by thousands?
Sri Lanka is at a tipping point. The integrity of the nation’s democratic institutions rests on a fine balance, a balance that is disturbed each time a figure like Cardinal Ranjith steps outside his true role and into the realm of political meddling. His actions cannot be allowed to pass without condemnation. For democracy to endure, Sri Lanka must hold fast to its commitment to equality under the law and insist that no one, regardless of title or position, wields influence without honour or conscience.
In the words of Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” Today, the people of Sri Lanka are left groaning, feeling betrayed by a leader who should have been above such crude tactics. If we are to maintain a society grounded in both moral and democratic values, we cannot afford to let religious authority become a pawn in the political arena. The people of Sri Lanka deserve leaders—both political and spiritual—who embody integrity, not those who exploit their position for power. Let this be a reminder: if democracy and faith are to thrive, they must remain true to their core principles, unsullied by the ambitions of men who should know better.
This what the US Conference of Catholic Bishops said” We need to do more to persuade all people that human life is precious and human dignity must be defended. This requires more effective dialogue and engagement with all public officials, especially Catholic public officials. We welcome conversation initiated by political leaders themselves.” From that perspective, the Archbishop is not deviating from the Catholic principles. I am not a Catholic defending the Archbishop, but what one says must be fair in a secular society.