Melani Manel Perera

About a hundred Catholics from Colombo and Negombo went to Mullivaikal where up to 40,000 civilians died in 2009 caught in the crossfire between government forces and Tamil Tigers.

Pupils from the St Joseph's Girls School in Nugegoda took part in the pilgrimage, which the Sisters of the Holy Family organise each year to replicate the Stations of the Cross. After leaving the top of Hiniduma Calvary, the group came down collecting rubbish.

Rohan Dominic was appointed coordinator of the Claretian missionary group at the United Nations in New York. He will take the post on 11 April. The group has obtained consultative status and is associated with other religious networks.

Various activities have been organised – retreats, pilgrimages, Stations of the Cross, daily Eucharist, special meditations and sermons – to experience intensely of Lent.

This year has been dedicated to the Apostle of Sri Lanka. Born in India, he landed on the island in 1687 during the persecution by Dutch Calvinists. At that time there were no priests. He set up a religious congregation to train missionaries. He worked for the poor and the sick, for dialogue with other religions, and for the development of lay leaders.

The finding is based on a survey of some 2,500 women carried out by the United Nation Population Fund. About 60 per cent of the victims do not know that harassment is punishable by law.

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga spoke of widespread exploitation, touching more than 80,000 women with children in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. The lack of livelihood makes them even more vulnerable. Although the military has denied any wrongdoing, in the past it has cracked down on troop misconduct.

Thousands took part in a rally organised by the People's Alliance for Right to Land and the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement. Seized during the civil war, properties are still held by the military or businesses operating them for tourism or agriculture.

The victims were taking part in a sea procession yesterday, feast day of Our Lady of Good Voyage, protectress of local fishermen. Buddhists also took part in the celebration. Overcrowding is the main cause of the incident.

Every year, 400,000 women become pregnant in Sri Lanka. Some 15,000 resort to illegal abortions and ten die each year. A report by the Health Ministry last year says that 658 abortions occur each day.

The protest has been going on for more than two weeks. Women have taken action on behalf of 84 families displaced during the country’s civil war. Children are losing days at school. A group of Catholics and activists brings solidarity and reassurance. For one priest, "these women are not like us men. They will not give up until the government meets their demands."

This year Sri Lanka marked the 69th anniversary of its independence from British rule. The president urged action to create a prosperous nation. He called on everyone to fulfill their responsibilities, and slammed corrupt politicians and officials.