The Archbishop of Colombo has raised concerns about how widespread mobile phone use and consumer culture are damaging family relationships and traditional values in Sri Lankan society.
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has voiced growing alarm over the deteriorating quality of family life due to excessive technology consumption and market-driven materialism. Speaking at a religious gathering in Seeduwa, the Cardinal highlighted how devices intended for basic communication have evolved into intrusive fixtures that dominate daily routines and disrupt household dynamics.
The Archbishop attributed much of this shift to the expansion of consumerism following economic liberalization, which he argued has cultivated artificial desires among the population. According to Cardinal Ranjith, this market-oriented culture prioritizes wealth accumulation and material acquisition over genuine human needs and spiritual values, fundamentally reshaping societal priorities.
A particular concern raised by the Cardinal centers on the impact of prolonged mobile phone engagement, especially during evening hours, on family interactions. He noted that constant device usage has eroded opportunities for meaningful dialogue between parents and children, contributing to the weakening of traditional family structures and values.
Beyond technology concerns, Cardinal Ranjith cautioned against allowing educational advancement and social progress to breed complacency or pride. He emphasized that development should be accompanied by sustained commitment to humility and enduring human values, warning against the spiritual costs of unchecked modernization.
