Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, in his New Year message says that it is a time to

rethink and dedicate ourselves towards “true love” for our motherland. This is a beautiful country that we have inherited by God’s will. We have become citizens of this beautiful country, and it is our responsibility as citizens to work for the common good of everyone, so as to emancipate the country from poverty and all kinds of inadequacies that have been plaguing us all along (especially in the last 50 to 60 years). Our country has become extremely poor; it has become corrupt as there is no Rule of Law, and we have fallen into a situation where we are like a ship drifting from side to side without a leadership that is dedicated and honest and is able to solve the problems of our people.   

Therefore, in this year 2024, we hope that with the possibilities of having a chance to change the course which we have taken so far, you will contemplate and pray as true citizens wanting to live in a peaceful country where all races and religions are accepted and honoured. 

A country where all people, irrespective of their poverty or opulence, help one another in order to grow in the spirit of freedom that we wish to experience. Let us hope that all our citizens may dedicate themselves to drive this country towards a return to prosperity, and that we may elect leaders who will dedicate themselves to that cause zealously. Since this is a decisive year, let us pray for our country very much. I especially ask our Catholic and all other Christian brothers and sisters to keep this as a special intention in the days and months that are ahead of us, in this particular year. 

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
God Bless You.