evidence: Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith appealed for peace as clashes broke out in the island nation after the prime minister quit amid a worsening economic crisis, reported ucanews.com. [...] "We express our opposition to the former prime minister," said Cardinal Ranjith, even as pro-government supporters gathered in the prime minister's office in Colombo and engaged in chants asking him not to resign. [...] Since March, Sri Lankans have been taking to the streets in largely peaceful protests and demanding that the Rajapaksa brothers step down.