Cardinal Ranjith condemns education reforms, calls it a threat to cultural and religious values

The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, has criticised the Sri Lankan government for introducing education reforms that he says undermine parental authority and the nation’s cultural and religious values.

Speaking at St. Joseph’s Church in Hanwella on Saturday, Cardinal Ranjith warned that several government programmes, including the introduction of sex education in schools, are weakening fundamental social institutions such as marriage and family.

“Sri Lanka’s civilisation has been shaped over generations by our religious traditions – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity – particularly in relation to marriage, child-rearing and sexuality,” he said. “No government has the right to interfere with the nation’s cultural heritage.”

The Cardinal alleged that ideas promoted with funding from United Nations agencies and other international organisations were eroding cultural and religious foundations, contributing to family breakdown and weakening respect between parents and children.

While affirming that children have human rights, Cardinal Ranjith stressed that these should not be interpreted in ways that turn children against their parents. 

“What should exist between parents and children is a foundation of love,” he said.