Archbishop: Government Education Reforms Seize Parental Rights

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, states that the current government has introduced an education reform system that usurps the rights of parents. 

He expressed these views yesterday while participating in a ceremony held at Our Holy St. Joseph's Church in Pathagama, Hanwella.

Speaking on this occasion, the Archbishop stated that various programs are being implemented in society today that disrupt married life, and the new sex education curriculum prepared by the Ministry of Education is a prime example of this. He strongly declared that this system, which teaches various "abnormalities" through sex education from six-year-olds to adults, asserting that they are permissible, good, and not wrong, is an infringement on parental rights. "We cannot accept it," he emphasized.

The Cardinal pointed out that Sri Lanka possesses a unique culture, civilization, and value system inherited through generations, and that we have a series of humane cultural principles nourished by the tenets of the main religions: Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, and Christian. He also mentioned that the country has an accepted set of models and laws within society regarding married life, raising children, and sexuality.

However, he firmly stated that if these inheritances are disregarded, and various "abnormalities" occurring in the Western world are accepted due to financial gain, thereby betraying one's own principles, then such a government has no right to rule the country. He emphasized that if attempts are made to harm the country's cultural heritage, it cannot be approved under any circumstances, and political leaders should only fulfill their designated roles and refrain from actions that do not belong to them.

He stated that the country's cultural and religious background is being destroyed, and families are being disrupted by the erroneous ideas and attitudes that come with money received from various organizations such as the United Nations Board or the United Nations Population Fund. He also pointed out that great harm is caused by turning children against their parents, allowing them to disobey and do as they please. The Cardinal emphasized that while children have human rights, children rising against their parents cannot be defined as a human right. He further stated that the relationship between parents and children should be based on love.