Catholic Church says will boycott Independence Day celebration

The Catholic Church has decided to boycott the 75th Independence Day celebrations on 4 February. Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini at a media briefing yesterday took issue with the Government’s move to allocate Rs. 200 million for the Independence Day celebrations slamming it as a “crime against the people” and a “huge waste”.

He said that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and the other members of the Catholic Church will not attend the Independence Day celebrations.

“The Government has made plans to organise a celebration for Independence Day at a time when people are struggling with food insecurity, child malnutrition and job insecurity,” Fr. Gamini said noting that daily power interruptions, collapse in the rule of law and violation of human rights are adding to the issues faced by them.