Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith rejects death penalty, calls for justice for Easter attack victimsPosted by Onlanka News Desk on August 11, 2026 - 9:37 amThe Archdiocese of Colombo says it cannot support the death penalty under any circumstances, while stressing that those responsible for the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks must be identified and justice delivered to the victims. In a statement dated August 10, 2026, the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, said the Archdiocese continues to stand in full solidarity with the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks amid recent public discussion surrounding the bombings. However, the Archdiocese said the death penalty is unacceptable under paragraph 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church because it violates human dignity. It said that, in keeping with the teachings of the Catholic Church, it cannot agree with the imposition of the death penalty under any circumstances. These views were expressed in his message titled “No Peace Without Justice, No Justice Without Forgiveness,” issued for the World Day of Peace on January 1, 2002.