Namal Kumara, an individual claims to be a social activist was arrested today (1 January) by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).
The arrest pertains to an audio recording circulating on social media that allegedly defames the reputation of the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.
The Archdiocese of Colombo has called for an investigation into a complaint filed by Namal Kumara who claimed to be a social activist, which alleges the circulation of an audio recording on social media defaming His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo.
Addressing the media on 29 December 2024, Rev. Fr. Jude Krishantha, Media Director of the Archdiocese, condemned the complaint and accused Namal Kumara of being complicit in the events leading to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. He further claimed that Kumara’s recent actions appear to be part of a conspiracy orchestrated by a third party.
Fr. Krishantha highlighted that the audio recording in question is purportedly linked to former MP Ranjan Ramanayake and suggested that it was deliberately used to tarnish the Cardinal’s reputation. “We believe this is either Namal Kumara’s doing or the result of instructions from another party,” he said.
