Melani Manel Perera

Human rights organisations slam government decision to forcibly repatriate hundreds of Tamils, supposedly without good reasons to be in the capital, to their native village. The authorities claim they had to act for security reasons, but many people charge the government’s action can only widen “the gap between the island’s two main ethnic groups and accentuate Tamils’ marginalisation”

Various moments of reflection marked the end of the month dedicated to soldiers fallen in the civil war. The initiative, wanted by president Rajapakse, found favour in the population, even if many urge the government to remember that “many of the victims of this senseless war are civilians”.

In a meeting with Catholic bishops, President Rajapakse accepts Church proposal to guarantee safety to pilgrims visiting the island nation’s most famous Marian shrine. Christians but also Buddhists and Hindus rejoice, hopeful that these words of peace will not remain an empty statement but turn instead into concrete actions.

In a meeting last week organised by the National Fisheries Solidarity, fishermen talk about their hardships. They slam local authorities for failing to help them after the tsunami and now. In an attempt to develop the tourist sector, local officials are selling off land where once stood the homes of poor fishermen and their families.

Yesterdays attacks on the outskirts of the capital killed at least 8 people mainly civilians. The government accuses the Tamil Tiger rebels, who deny all involvement. The nation’s people are tired of both sides propaganda and demand to know “who is responsible for the continuous death of the innocent”. An appeal to the authorities: “Return to peace negotiations”.

In his first visit to the region the president asks local authorities to guarantee rights and social assistance to the thousands of Sri Lankan immigrant workers. Kuwait alone hosts 135 thousand most of whom are women; women represent 80% of the migrating working force of former Ceylon and the second voice in foreign representation. But they continue to be victims of abuse and discrimination.

The intensification of the military confrontation between rebels and army has forced the International Red Cross to pull its staff from the north of the country. A Catholic weekly urges Catholics to reject violence and calls on the government to show Tamil Tigers its good faith by creating a zone of peace around the country’s most famous Marian shrine

In an official ceremony in Trincomalee 2 thousand dollars are presented to over 40 children from different religious and ethnic backgrounds. Young mothers widowed of husbands swallowed up by the 2004 monster wave and over 20 years of armed conflict express their gratitude.

The auxiliary bishop of Colombo traces the harsh economic repercussions of the civil war on the tourism industry, trade and the daily life of the people: “Without peace, we are nearing disaster.”

The premier met the relatives of men who have been missing for years in the waters near the war front. They ask the authorities to investigate their disappearance, who may have been forced to join the Tamil rebels, and to guarantee them economic support and food aid. The prime minister listens but makes no promises.

After yesterday’s rebel raid on the outskirts of the capital Colombo, the Minister for Information has guaranteed to adopt “every possible measure” to destroy Tamil air power. The noise of explosions throws the capital’s population into panic, most of whom had been glued to the Cricket world cup finals.

Celebrations for Vesak will last the month. In every village and city painting, decorations and lanterns are prepared.