Cardinal warns sex education reforms threaten family values

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has warned that a plan to introduce age-appropriate sex education in schools from 2026 risks eroding the country's cultural and religious foundations and undermining parental authority, according to a report published by UCAN.

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Cardinal Ranjith also criticised the government while addressing a gathering at St. Joseph's Church in Hanwella on Dec. 20, continuing his campaign against the sex education programme, according to the UCAN report.

The prelate said the proposed sex education programme contradicts traditional teachings on marriage, family life, and morality. It reportedly supports the rights of sexual minorities, birth control methods, gender equality, and women's sexual freedoms.

It "teaches children from six to adulthood wrongful behaviors as acceptable, undermining married life and parental rights. This education reform is something we cannot accept," the cardinal said.