SW News: Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo in Sri Lanka stated in a speech at the centennial celebration of St. Anthony's College Katana that the country should hold early elections to choose a new leadership because it is impossible to develop the country under rulers who do not love their country.

Leaders who "do not reflect," "do not love the nation," and "love their stomachs more than the country" would be unable to rule, he warned. The top prelate went on to say that the people want the government to hold elections because everyone above the age of 18 has the right to decide the destiny of the country.

The cardinal exhorted the leaders to use their right to vote in his remarks. He did, however, warn the administration that the people would not accept a dictatorship that steadily eroded fundamental liberties. Cardinal Ranjith went on to declare that the present leaders of the nation are unfit to reign because they are conspiring to lead society by breaching the law. He has taken a similar position on IMF money, claiming that a large local population is required for successful governance and long-term economic growth.

The Wickremesinghe government, which ascended to office without having held elections, has frequently postponed preparations for a new round of voting in the middle of the crisis, most notably postponing the April 25 municipal elections due to budgetary worries.

The next presidential election in Sri Lanka must take place before September 2024, according to the constitution. But, Cardinal Ranjith, on the other hand, is adamant about having elections right now.

Sri Lanka had its greatest economic disaster in 70 years in early 2022 as a result of a lack of foreign currency reserves for imports and the COVID-19 epidemic. Protests over a scarcity of necessities, including food, medication, and gasoline, compelled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to quit and abandon the country. However, President Ranil Wickremesinghe's new administration in Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has secured a bailout with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for July 2022.