Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith hit out at Tourism Development and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga over the latter's statement on increasing the number of night clubs and casinos in the country to boost the tourism sector.

"I don't know what religion he belongs to, " Cardinal Ranjith said speaking at a church event in Italy.

"I am ashamed that he says he belongs go our religion, " he added.

Cardinal Ranjith also added that a country cannot achieve development by materialistic progress.

"Western concepts or globalization will not take us anywhere. Skyscrapers or materialistic growth will not bring us development and prosperity. The whole idea behind development is to enrich the public, " he said.