Melani Manel Perera

The human rights activist was seized in 2012. The members of the Asian Federation against Disappearances (AFAD) organised a peaceful protest in member countries: Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal.

A community in the country's north sends AsiaNews greetings for the pontiff. In their part of the island nation, "there is still no peace, no freedom;" yet, they hope that "the pope comes to visit us to pray together."

Card. Malcolm Ranjith intervenes in the debate sparked by the proximity of Presidential elections with the apostolic trip next January. Both candidates have assured the Bishops' Conference that "a peaceful atmosphere will prevail."

Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM) writes to the Holy See. Proximity of papal visit to presidential election is “risky”. "The organizers of election campaigns can use the apostolic journey as a political tool."

The Ceylon Bible Society (CBS) devoted a whole day to the senior citizens of Dandugama. More than 500 people took part in the activities, which included a flea market, medical visits and more. Some volunteers donated towels and clothes to the residents of the St Martin's Home for Disable Women and the St Vincent de Paul's Home for Elders.

South and Southeast Asian defence chiefs meet in Colombo to discuss regional situation. Everyone's cooperation is needed maintain peace and stability.

The Church calls on President Mahinda Rajapaksa not to use the papal visit in his campaign. On 8 January, polls will be held five days before the papal visit. Many fear fraud and violence.

Wives, mothers and sisters of the victims of "enforced disappearances" will not lose hope. In 1990, the military in Batticaloa took 156 men to "bring them to safe areas" but they never returned.

After ending search operations, the government wants to place a plaque on the disaster site with the names of the dead and missing. Several groups accuse the government and tea plantation owners of "collusion and criminal negligence."

Rev. Marimuttu Sathivel, an Anglican priest and member of the Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM) claims authorities were warned of possible disaster in which hundreds of people died, buried alive in their homes. But no one ordered to evacuate the area.

The pope will visit the island nation between 13 and 15 January 2015. Presidential elections should take place in the same month, but the current government has not yet set a date. Some Catholics complain that the authorities are trying to attract Catholic voters.

Bad weather prevents rescuers from freeing the village of Meeriyabedda inhabited by tea growers, swept away by a landslide. Except for the children who had left early to go to school.