- Calls existing Constitution a fatal blow to democracy, saying it has enabled authoritarian rule
- Criticises past Governments for exploiting unchecked powers granted by the 1978 Constitution
- Condemns media suppression, enforced disappearances, white van abductions, and imprisonment of political opponents since 1990
- Calls for a new constitution that unites all communities, removes lawlessness, and promotes religious, cultural, and social renewal
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| Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith
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Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday called for the immediate repeal of Sri Lanka’s current Constitution, labelling it a fatal blow to democracy.
He urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Government to introduce a new constitution to dismantle the existing corrupt system and restore true freedom to the country.Speaking at the Catholic religious service for Sri Lanka’s 77th National Independence Day at All Saints’ Church in Borella, Ranjith condemned what he described as a dictatorial frenzy that emerged under the guise of war. He accused successive Governments of abusing the unchecked powers granted under the 1978 Presidential Constitution, leading to authoritarian rule and prolonged conflict.
“The unlimited power granted within this legal framework led to a rift between communities that could have been peacefully resolved, instead spiralling into war and creating a terrifying situation in the country,” he said.
The Cardinal further criticised past Governments for fostering a culture of fear, including media suppression, enforced disappearances of journalists, the infamous white van abductions, and the imprisonment of political opponents since the 1990s. He attributed the country’s deep economic decline to the devastating war and accused leaders of continuing the same oppressive practices over the past two decades.
“No one with a conscience can support the current Constitution anymore,” he declared, accusing post-1978 Governments of shamelessly manipulating laws, suppressing the judiciary, and wielding parliamentary power without accountability.
“The dictatorial Constitution is the root cause of all the disasters in this country. It is the source of the terror culture that has soaked our modern democracy in blood, enabling corruption and lawlessness. It must be abolished immediately and replaced with a new constitution that unites all communities as children of one mother, free from corruption, terror, and injustice,” he said.