Ayona Chamini discovered that she was good at photography. With her earnings, she helps the poor. “Thanks to the first wave of COVID-19, taking advantage of the free time I had, I was able to understand what talents God gave me.” Now “I have a great drive to enjoy the gift that God has given me and help those in need.”
Solidarity protests are held in 12 Sri Lankan locations to show solidarity with Indian farmers fighting against agricultural reform. In a globalised world that exploits those who have less resources, the struggle of Indian farmers is “valid for all”, an all-out fight against the “neo-liberal policies” of international trade organisations.
The journalist and activist disappeared on 24 January 2010. Suspicions have fallen on the state apparatus and the Rajapaksa brothers. In memory of him, his wife Sandaya Eknaligoda created a website to help search for missing persons. Determined, she “will go on with no intention of backing down or interrupting my attempt.”
The dioceses of Colombo, Kurunegala and Jaffna celebrated a prayer service on Monday. Jaffna will continue until 25 January. Participation in celebrations was limited to 50 people.
They did not receive last month's salary nor three months of social security money. The employer says it has no money to pay them. Some of the workers are forced to dine with three cookies and a glass of milk. The authorities have been accused of doing nothing to deal with the situation.
On the day of the feast of the first Sri Lankan saint, Msgr. Vianney Fernando recalls his "unparalleled holiness" and "burning missionary zeal". An invitation to the Church of the country not to be "a static church, which only cares about bureaucracy, but a true missionary Church".
The traditional harvest festival is an opportunity to meet. Tamil Catholics, who go to church to celebrate Pongal, are Catholic by faith but Tamil by ethnicity. “Just as Tamil Hindus are grateful for the sun, cow and nature, so for us Christians Jesus is our sun, our nature,” says one participant.
Food parcels were donated to needy Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim families. For Fr Mantunga, Christmas carries a message of generosity. His Office is committed to human rights.
They walked around the streets of the town and into the nearby villages singing Christmas carols. The Holy Mary parish and local schools join forces to gift moments of happiness to the local community. The enthusiasm of the students. Books and school materials will be donated to the poorest families.
The shutdown of nine factories in two free trade zones has resulted in more than 3,400 people, mostly young migrant women, losing their job. RED and other humanitarian organisations are providing food and assistance, including legal aid, to the unemployed.
Card Ranjith calls on Catholics to celebrate this Christmas with close relatives and to try to help those who have been directly affected by COVID-19. The Archbishop also calls on the media to refrain from broadcasting programmes that taint the true meaning of Christmas.
At least 45,900 Sri Lankans in the Middle East and the Gulf countries are waiting – without work, salary, or severance pay – to be repatriated. Back home, they are shunned, accused of spreading the coronavirus. In 2019, migrants’ remittances contributed US$ 6.7 billion or 8.03% of GDP to the Sri Lankan economy. Now Sri Lanka is becoming a country of immigration, especially from India and China.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
