Melani Manel Perera

Fishermen’s rights groups complain about the fate of one of the most marginalised social groups in the country. The government’s development policies favour the tourist industry and prefer agreements with large foreign companies to exploit the country’s waters. This is pushing more and more small scale fishermen into utter poverty. Whilst the government is building highways and hotels, thousands of families are still surviving in temporary shelters.

Asian Human Rights Commission makes the allegation in a report released on International Human Rights Day. The year 2007 saw continued human rights violations by both Tamil rebels and the government. Corruption is up and freedom of expression is more restricted.

In a country where war and violence force families into fear, an invitation is given so that we may witness the arrival of Christ, “The King of Peace”. Avoid luxurious parties and bring spiritual and material comfort. Some concrete gestures to remind that the birth is real.

Tough sentence for both the rebels and the military for the recent massacres. A call to all to condemn violence and to treat everyone with comprehension and compassion in order to overcome hatred and vengeance. Over 70 thousand dead in 24 years of civil war.

The World Forum of Fisher People denounces after having visited fishing villages hit by the killer wave. Three years on from the tragedy, survivors still live in tents and barely make ends meet. An appeal to the government to commit itself to rebuilding homes and the local economy.

The secretary general Ban invites both sides in the conflict to “resume the peace process”. The two explosions, one caused by a female suicide bomber, left 18 people dead and 30 wounded; they could signal the beginning of a fresh Tiger campaign against civilians in answer to the government attacks in the North.

An inter-faith group made up of Catholics and Muslims that slammed the project organises a joint day of prayer as a form of protest. If it is built the power station will have a disastrous environmental impact on the area. Many families are already suffering as a result of their eviction on the president’s order. The new government-built homes they were given already show structural problems and are located faraway from basic services.

Following an arson attack against the offices of Leader publications, which puts out papers critical of the government, Bishop Duleep De Chickera releases special communiqué. He appeals to all religious leaders not to remain silent and defends freedom of expression as necessary for the well-being of democracy.

The numbers are provided by the International Red Cross who say that the situation is tense in the area where clashes between rebels and government forces have intensified. In Wankali Tiger leaflets warn the population to abandon their homes by November 27th or be moved by force.

Yesterday parliament approved president Rajapakse’s economic plan with record defence funding. But the coalition in power splits, with JVP voting against. The cause: the head of state intends to form a National unity government, by “buying” members of the opposition.

The Indian Finance minister launches an appeal for a return to dialogue, which sets out devolution of power in the Tamil area. The rebels and government remain deaf, the latter strengthening its ranks with a fresh conscription campaign.

The United National Party will not vote in favour of the 2008 budget because planned expenditures include record defence spending and higher direct and indirect taxes, which are likely to push inflation up to 22 per cent. Dissatisfaction among ordinary Sri Lankans grows whilst government allies are also unhappy.