Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, stated that same-sex marriage “is not a human right and should not be permitted,” condemning what he described as the spread of “corrupt ideologies” in modern society.

Speaking at a religious ceremony at St. Anne’s Church in Beruwala, the Cardinal voiced strong opposition to the push for LGBTQ+ rights, claiming it undermines traditional family structures.

“How can two men build a family? How can they have children?” Cardinal Ranjith questioned during his address. He argued that marriage must be understood through a moral and spiritual lens, not as a “temporary experience.”

The Cardinal contrasted modern relationships with past traditions, suggesting that a lack of commitment is now common among young people. He praised earlier eras when marriages were arranged with parental guidance, asserting that “such traditional unions were more successful and contributed to stable families.”

He concluded with a call for society to reject what he termed “distorted notions of human rights” and to uphold traditional values.