Damage caused by Express Pearl to Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary must be investigated further: Cardinal

15-Aug-2026

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The government must conduct a further investigation into the damage caused to Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary by the MV X-Press Pearl, Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has stressed.

A discussion between the Catholic Church and the government, jointly chaired by Minister of Science and Technology Krishantha Abeyasena and Presidential Secretary Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, was held at the Presidential Secretariat on August 13.

The discussions focused on administrative issues concerning Catholic schools taken over by the government, the preparation of a mechanism relating to teachers for Catholic religious instruction, and reviewing the progress made in recruiting Catholic nuns and priests to the teaching profession.

The meeting also discussed mechanisms to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for the functioning of schools taken over by the government.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith expressed his appreciation, on behalf of the Catholic Church, to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the government for conducting discussions with the Catholic Church three times a year.

The Cardinal also stressed the need for the government to further investigate the damage caused to Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary by the X-Press Pearl.

He further said it was the aspiration of the Catholic Church to ensure that all students, without discrimination, are given the opportunity to learn about their respective religions. He also emphasised the need to address the prevailing issues in the education sector.