Colombage Melani Manel Perera

The prelate passed away at dawn this morning at the age of 90. A former auxiliary bishop, he led the archdiocese of Sri Lanka’s capital from 2002 to 2009. In the wake of the tragedy of December 2004, he led the Church's efforts to rebuild homes and provide livelihoods to survivors.

The Catholic Church rejects the former head of state's claims. He stated that he did not commit any mistakes that later led to the 2019 attacks. In recent weeks, the Supreme Court had ordered him to pay compensation to victims.

In February 1823 the British rulers moved thousands of workers from South India to Sri Lanka as cheap labour. The complaint of 'Voice of Plantation People': 'Two centuries later in the districts of Galle and Matara their condition has not changed: they still live without land rights or a home of their own'.

The nuncio handed over supplies worth US$ 30,000 to Health Ministry for use in Sri Lankan hospitals. Caritas Sri Lanka contributed to identifying those in need in a country ravaged by a deep economic crisis. Every year 10,500 Sri Lankans die from kidney-related diseases without getting proper care.

The Sri Lankan president took part in Pongal, a traditional festival, assuring the implementation of the 13th Amendment devolving powers to the provinces. Activists organised an event in response to demand justice for the victims of the civil war.

In a verdict, the Supreme Court ordered the top state and security figures at the time of the massacre to pay compensation to the families for failing to prevent it. The lawyers who had raised the issue: a historic ruling.

Nilantha Jayawardene is accused by the local church of failing to act to prevent the 2019 terrorist attacks on three churches. He had received intelligence about the possibility of an attack three weeks earlier. The archbishop's message was conveyed during a press conference yesterday.

Nominations are to be filed in the coming weeks while voting will be held in the first of mid-March. Uncertainty remains as to whether they can actually be held. Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian calls for citizen participation.

In a video message, the archbishop urges the faithful to seek this goal in the new year. Despite its economic difficulties, the country must be loved more this year, which marks 75 years of independence.

Responding to an appeal by Card Malcom Ranjith, Sri Lanka’s Catholics are celebrating Christmas this year by handing out food parcels to the poorest families and to prisoners, undertaking initiatives in favour of the humblest workers, and decorating the Christmas tree with messages about the hardships people are facing at present.

A group of consumers yesterday filed a complaint with 18 charges against Electricity Minister Kanchana Wijesekera. Several Sri Lankans have said that if there is an increase in prices they will refuse to pay and take to the streets. Many others are already struggling because of economic hardships.

Some 20 organisations urge the Bishops’ Conference to boycott government Christmas celebrations. They call for protest over the failure to find the truth about the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. They want the authorities to pursue an impartial investigation and help survivors if they truly care about Catholics.