Govt. should resign and hold snap general elections: Cardinal

By Yohan Perera   

Government MPs should resign and create an opportunity for the people to elect a new government, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said yesterday.   

“Those who rule the country today have created a sorry state of affairs where the nation is concerned and therefore the MPs and the ministers representing the government should resign from their posts if they have a backbone and pave the way for the people to elect a new administration,” Cardinal Ranjith said at a press conference.   

Further, Cardinal Ranjith called for action against MPs whom he alleged are engaged in belittling the Judicial authority.

“Since no one has the authority to interfere in the decision of the Supreme Court, it is clear that the judgement given on March 3 2023 by the Supreme Court binds on the President, Government and Parliament in equal measure. So they need to follow the decision faithfully. Else they would be belittling the authority of the Supreme Court and undermine the basis of democracy,” the Cardinal said.   

“It was reported that two Members of Parliament have spoken concerning the judgement given by the Supreme Court enforcing on the secretary, Ministry of Finance and Attorney General the allocation of funds that has been approved by Parliament for conducting local elections. The MPs have called this decision, a violation of their parliamentary privileges by Courts. This matter is to be viewed with great concern.