Melani Manel Perera

The secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament talks to AsiaNews about his meeting with the head of the LTTE’s political wing who is ready to negotiate but on the basis of the terms agreed to in the 2002 ceasefire.

The community which counts for almost 300 thousand workers continues its demands for state subsidies for petrol; the ban in national waters of large foreign fishing fleets; aid programmes for fishing communities damaged by the war in the North and the Tsunami. But up until now the authorities only make promises.

Human rights activists report that women are worse off in the north, where the civil war continues unabated, compared to their sisters in the south. Increasingly, northern women are suffering from depression as the social, economic and political crisis deepens. Few still retain hope for the future. Since 1983 20,000 women have been widowed.

Celebrations for the famous Marian shrine hit by the tsunami in 2004 end. Some 300,000 pilgrims come from the entire island. Galle bishop calls Our Lady the “light that enlightens” the country divided by ethnic conflict.

In a meeting commemorating a Buddhist monk involved in inter-faith dialogue who was killed by “person or persons unknown,” some religious leaders slam government silence over recent crimes. Participants tell population to learn how to help others irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.

The alarm sounded by the Ministry for Social Services, cites “reliable sources”. In Vanni in the North, many students refuse to leave their homes or present themselves at exams, for fear of ending up in rebel clutches. Since 2002, more than 5,600 small children have become soldiers, but actual figure could be much higher.

Defence expert Iqbal Athas, denounces the military’s shadowy purchase of fighter planes. Police withdraw security guard and a colleague is threatened by army officer.

The Christian Children’s Fund launches new development programmes in Hambantota districts where 60 per cent of the population lives in utter poverty since the 2004 tsunami. A Buddhist boy tells about his happiness in getting help. “Now I can focus on my studies,” he said.

On the National Day of the Sick, about 500,000 pilgrims gather in the famous basilica from around the country. Everyone prayed for their own physical well-being but also to heal the country from war, corruption and human rights violations.

Thousands of Tamil and Singhalese pilgrims gathered to celebrate the feast of the Assumption at the Madhu sanctuary. During the procession, the noise of nearby explosions shook many, who tearfully invoked the Virgin’s intercession. Bishop of Galle: “Tears of joy and of pain, they faced great risk in order to come here”.

The government had closed the road for security reasons. Thousands of pilgrims are expected for the feast of the Assumption. Colombo and Tamil tigers promise to “avoid clashes” in the area.

Rev. Duleep de Chikera condemns the governments triumphant propaganda which celebrates recent victories against the Tamil separatists. He invites parents and teachers to promote “the values of trust, respect and cooperation”, in order to bring “peace to the country”.