The Archbishop of Colombo has urged the Government to maintain its examination of environmental damage caused by the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster during discussions with Church officials at the Presidential Secretariat.
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith raised concerns about the ongoing environmental consequences of the X-Press Pearl incident during a meeting between Government representatives and the Catholic Church held at the Presidential Secretariat. The discussion, co-chaired by Minister of Science and Technology Krishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, saw the Cardinal emphasise the importance of sustained governmental attention to the damage inflicted on Sri Lanka's marine environment by the shipping disaster.
Beyond the environmental concerns, the meeting addressed multiple issues affecting Catholic educational institutions in the country. Discussions included administrative difficulties encountered by Catholic schools that have come under State management, as well as progress toward establishing a formal framework for Catholic religious education. Participants also examined mechanisms for recruiting Catholic clergy and religious teachers to support educational operations in these institutions, alongside identifying support options from the Ministry of Education for the administration of State-managed Catholic schools.
Cardinal Ranjith expressed approval of the triannual dialogue framework between the Government and the Catholic Church, characterising it as a constructive approach to fostering ongoing cooperation and communication. He advocated for equal access to religious education across the school system, asserting that all students should have the opportunity to learn their respective faiths without discrimination. The Cardinal additionally called for comprehensive solutions to address existing challenges within the education sector that continue to affect schools and students throughout the country.
