• Offers to meet him to explain developmental value of such projects
• Says separation of Church and State will make country better 

Following the recent statement by Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith that politicians should not be allowed to legalise cannabis cultivation and promote nightlife just because “a parangiya” (a term used to refer to foreigners and those of the Portuguese community, and likely a reference to State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage’s citizenship-related controversy) wants such, Gamage, while claiming that the Archbishop may have made that statement targeting her, said that the former had been greatly misled by someone on the said matter.

Speaking to the media, she said: "I respect all religions very much, but I think that the Archbishop has been greatly misled by someone in this regard. I was the one who called for the legalisation of cannabis; I am also making an effort to develop a nightlife economy, including casinos and other entertainment activities. Therefore, he must have made that statement targeting me. I have to tell the Archbishop that what ‘parangiya’ means is the Portuguese. The religion he preaches, Catholicism, was brought to this country by the Portuguese. If so, the Portuguese should be considered good, should they not? How can they be criticised?”

She also said that she is even ready to meet Archbishop Ranjith and explain to him how the country can be developed through such projects. She said that the people should not confuse mundane matters with transcendental matters, and that religious leaders such as the Archbishop should work towards leading the people to the right path, while allowing politicians to make decisions and carry out programmes for national development. She added that the separation of these two aspects will definitely be of use in making the country better.

“I have to say something that is mentioned in the Bible. The Bible mentions ‘render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, unto God, what is God’s’. This means to render to Caesar the works of Caesar and to leave God’s work to God. That is a story that Jesus recounted when he was asked his opinion about Caesar collecting taxes from the Jews,” she added.

Gamage further said: “It was the Portuguese who spread the use of opium in Sri Lanka and several other countries such as China in the past. I feel that someone has greatly misled the Archbishop. So please read more about history. There will be no harm to Buddhism because of cannabis. Even the Buddha has used cannabis as a medicine. These have been written about in our history. What I have to emphasise is that there will be no harm to Buddhism and the history of this country due to cannabis. Also, if he says that I am a ‘parangiya’, what I have to say is that I am a lady hailing from a Buddhist family in the South.”

Speaking at a recent event in Kurana, Negombo, the Archbishop said that the proposed legalisation of cannabis would destroy Buddhism and culture and that it should be opposed by all. 

“Today, we are talking about nightlife, nightclubs, casinos, and cannabis legalisation. On the one hand, they say that those who use drugs will be given the death penalty, and on the other hand, they are going to allow cannabis cultivation. When some ‘parangiya’ who has studied abroad and lived abroad comes here and says that these things should be done, should we allow it? Where is the civilisation of our country? These people cannot be allowed to destroy the culture of this land. I request the religious leaders, especially the Buddhist clergy, please do not allow these stupid things to happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, when the Catholic Church was contacted regarding Gamage’s statement, National Director of Communications of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Father Jude Chrishantha Fernando said: “Whether Gamage even holds Sri Lankan citizenship is now being revealed, but the Archbishop has citizenship only in this country. Whenever something adverse happens, he has intervened for the people and against the rulers.

“Therefore, the people know whether they should accept what these politicians say, or what people like the Archbishop, who really loves the country, says. Politicians like Gamage will destroy this country and then return to the country where they have citizenship, but the innocent people here will have to suffer the consequences of such projects.”