Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has voiced concern over what he described as foreign-backed initiatives promoting homosexual rights and gender identity changes in Sri Lanka, claiming that these could lead to the ‘erosion of the country’s traditional values and the institution of marriage.’
This marks the second time in three weeks that he made such remarks in the public.
Cardinal Ranjith made these remarks yesterday (14) in Colombo at a ceremony conferring the honorary title of Agga Maha Panditha—granted by the Government of Myanmar—on the Deputy Chancellor of Ruhuna University, Most Venerable Dr Akuretiye Nanda Thera.
According to the Cardinal Ranjith, foreign organisations are actively recruiting young men and women into programmes that promote homosexuality and facilitate gender identity changes. He claimed that some psychiatrists are involved in issuing certificates enabling individuals to change their legal gender, which can then be reflected on new birth certificates issued by the Ministry of Health.
He said that such changes could allow individuals to marry partners of the same biological sex under the guise of their declared gender, effectively altering marriage laws in the country. “This programme is secretly being implemented to completely change the marriage laws in this country and lead the country towards the disintegration of our institution of marriage,” he said.
While stressing that individuals struggling with gender identity should be treated with respect and not harassed, Cardinal Ranjith argued that the broader push was an attempt to normalise such identities as a lifestyle, misleading the youth and undermining natural family structures.
He further alleged that certain political parties and leaders are supporting these initiatives, calling it “a major problem for both the country’s future and the Buddha Sasana.” While acknowledging the value of human rights, he said these actions were “deceitful” and “incompatible with our culture,” warning that they posed “a great threat to future generations.”
