Sri Lanka's Cardinal urges the President to step down

In the press release on July 5, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith requested that the President and government of Sri Lanka step down from their positions and hand over power to the people.

Cardinal Ranjith called on the current government and president to accept failure and relinquish power without inflicting further suffering upon the nation. 

"People will be able to establish an interim multiparty government in order to effect the desired total and structural changes in a manner that is credible and transparent to all," the statement read.

The cardinal said that a technical and professional team of experts can guide and instruct the short-term government in solving the immediate problems facing the people. 

"Over the years, the credibility of the present administration has has sunk to a point that they have been rejected outright by the public for all their attempts to alter the economy, politics, or constitution," added Cardinal Ranjith.

The country's foreign exchange reserves have fallen badly by 70% in the past two and a half years, causing the country of 22 million to face its worst economic nightmare since independence. 

It has resulted in power outages lasting up to 13 hours per day, as well as a shortage of food, fuel, cooking gas, and medicine, and inflation has risen to 17.5 percent in February as a result of the country's currency depreciation, distressing businesses, exporters, and, most importantly, the people.

"We condemn the oppressive, stubborn burdens the government had placed on the people," said Cardinal Ranjith.

Even though a majority of the people in this country do not trust the Rajapaksas, the greatest obstacle to liberating the country is their continued rule.

The cardinal said that the ruling party of the Rajapaksas thinks that their political power is more important than the people's well-being. He said that this is clear because they don't do their job to serve the people.

The new prime minister's appointment somewhat renewed hopes for a recovery, so all remained silent to avoid impeding the search for solutions. All the actions so far have amounted to little more than political juggling.

In the light of the current situation, the church leader said,  the president and his government have no moral right to remain in office.

Cardinal Ranjith concluded, "On behalf of the people who are suffering, take responsibility for the sad situation and step down from their positions."