To rebuild country :

Every Lankan must help govt

C S Adikari Arachchi from Kegalle Dehiowita Spl Corr, Sabaragamuwa Spl Corr

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith was accorded a rousing welcome when he made his official visit to Kegalle on Saturday 19, after being elevated as Cardinal.

Bishop of Ratnapura, Rt Rev Dr Cletus Chandrasiri Perera, OSB along with the Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Maheepala Herath, Sabaragamuwa Governor W J M Lokubandara, Rural Affairs Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne, Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya, Parliamentarians, members of local bodies and other dignitaries received him and was led in procession to St Mary’s Church in Kegalle.

The others who graced the occasion were Chief Sanghanayaka of four Korales Ven Hemmathagama Sri Siddhartha Nayaka Thera, Ven Aroma Sri Sumanasara, Moulavi Nazeer and senior police officers.

A special mass was officiated by the Cardinal, assisted by Rev Fr Damian Fernando, Procurator General of the diocese and Chancellor Rev Fr Nicholas Fernando.

At a reception held at the Parish auditorium, the Chief Sanghanayaka Thera, the Governor, the Chief Minister and Minister Athauda Seneviratne paid a glowing tribute to His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith for his services to the province as the first Bishop of Ratnapura and Chancellor Rev Fr Nicholas Fernando.

A special reception was held attended by Catholics from Ratnapura and Kegalle Districts where Catholic priests, Rev Sisters and schoolchildren participated.

The Chief Minister said the Cardinal being the Bishop of Ratnapura one time, worked for religious amity, to establish peace in the country when the LTTE were attacking and destroying people, leaders and property. He even met the highest officials abroad to get back our G-plus which was withdrawn. The leaders in the country held his Eminence in high esteem.

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith recalled his days in Ratnapura and his cordial relationship with the Buddhist clergy. He said that after the three decade war was over, religious leaders and politicians could engage themselves in their service freely and peacefully. The Government was in the process of rebuilding the nation and all Sri Lankans should help the Government forgetting their differences.