Melani Manel Perera

The Law and Society Trust focuses on the recommendations made by the government’s reconciliation task force. Two activists participated in the work in gathering victims’ statements. "What is amazing is that the relatives of the victims don’t have feelings of revenge,” says one.

Journalists and activists remember their colleague Prageeth Eknaligoda, disappeared on 24 January 2010. In the elections which have decreed the Rajapaksa victory, he supported the opponent Fonseka. His wife alleges collusion between the army and the current president Sirisena.

The Archbishop of Colombo said that he was an "outstanding example of reconciliation." He spoke both Tamil and Sinhalese and lived in communion with both ethnicities. A relic exhibited for the devotion of the faithful. Foundations laid of the new national shrine dedicated to him.

Water shortages affect 23 out of 25 districts. Rain has not fallen in some parts of the country since March. Government emergency toll-free number is available. Officials have been mobilised in the most affected areas. Tamils make offerings to the gods to get rain.

The Kithu Sevana prayer centre is located in a village in north-western Sri Lanka. However, religious services are performed by clergymen who come from other places. On 5 January, a Buddhist monk and a dozen thugs attacked the centre. The latter "do not accept that some families converted. They don’t realise the blessing they receive through prayer."

The presidential task force submitted its final document. It was set up last year to seek opinions on how to investigate war crimes. Experts recommend a "hybrid" mechanism that includes national and international judges, as well as experts. The government insists on a local court.

Wickremetunge Lasantha was murdered in broad daylight on his way to work in 2009. He was the editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper. He had criticised former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has always denied any involvement in his death.

Some 800,000 LED bulbs sparkled on the 100-metre tree. The man who masterminded the project hopes to break the Guinness World Record. Buddhist organisers and Muslim sponsors hope the tree can create religious and ethnic harmony.

The children live in a multiethnic area of the capital that developed after 1971 for many of the city’s beggars. Children performed in a Christmas play to tell parents to stay clear of alcohol abuse.

The packages were handed out on 24 December. The parish, which is part of the Archdiocese of Colombo, is home to 2,500 families. Parishioners chose the beneficiaries, people who find it hard to hide their poverty.

Catholic prisoners took part in Mass in Colombo Prison, and received presents. They later met with relatives and had lunch with them.

A Catholic mother convinced her family to have a different Christmas. They saved money for a month and decided not to have gifts in order to help two poor families, one Catholic and one Buddhist. “What I want is for my children to learn the true meaning of Christmas,” she said.