Melani Manel Perera

The Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM ) celebrates the 51st anniversary of the Encyclical Pacem in Terris by the Roncalli Pope. The the arrest of Fr. Praveen and Catholic activist Ruki Fernando, "guilty of giving voice to the oppressed".

Chandrarathna, 30, will begin his catechumenate after Easter. His decision to convert came after seeing a performance of the Calvary of Christ. "The life of Jesus was revolutionary," he told AsiaNews.

Organised by the Savisthri women's movement in Colombo, the event aims to promote more sustainable trade between producers and buyers. Goods on sale included rice, cereals, shoes and handmade clothes, jewellery, sweet meat, jaggery and honey. This year, both Tamil and Sinhalese communities will celebrate the New Year on 14 April.

Next Friday, Sri Lanka will celebrate a Festival of Forgiveness following the initiative launched by Pope Francis in late March. Even the archbishop of Colombo, who is the president of the Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka, will perform the sacrament of Confession.

On the occasion of National Mosquito Control Week (2-8 April) and World Health Day (7 April), two national newspapers print a special edition using ink infused with citronella oil, a natural repellent that keeps away the mosquitoes that cause hemorrhagic fever. In the first part of 2014, some 6,104 cases of dengue fever were recorded in the country.

For 17 years, Vijitha and her husband, who survived the civil war, have tried unsuccessfully to have a child. Then, as has happened in other difficult moments of her life, she prayed to Mother Mary and started to go to Church. The Virgin "heard my prayers and gave me a beautiful little girl". Whom everyone in the village calls "Daughter of Our Lady".

Members of the Catholics parish in Mihintale visit three different places in the Diocese of Anuradhapura: a girls' orphanage, a senior citizens hospice, and a hospital cancer ward. This is one way, their pastor says, "to meet the suffering Christ in those people who still carry their cross."

Sri Lankan authorities will not help the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) conduct its enquiries. High Commissioner said that her office would do it anyway. Sri Lanka human rights activists welcome the resolution.

The Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM) and other human rights groups demonstrate against the Prevention of Terrorism Act, handing an official request to the Justice minister for its repeal. In their rally, protesters highlight recent cases of people arrested and held under the legislation, including the case of Ruki Fernando and Fr Praveen Maheshan.

Representatives of the Sri Lankan community in Europe stage a protest outside the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) headquarters. The group asks for Sri Lanka to be given "time to solve its internal problems" related to the process of reconciliation after the Civil War.

An association based in Sri Lanka's Western Province donates two yogurt-making machines to the women of a village in the Northern Province. Most of the latter are widows, struggling to support their family. The new economic activity will be "a solution to economic problems and a way to encourage co-operation."

At the request of the Anti- terrorism Department (TID), a court in Colombo issues a restraining order for Fr. Praveen Maheshan and Ruki Fernando. They will also have to hand over their computers and phones. The two had been arrested for having asked to see an arrested Tamil activist. Priest of the Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM): "Why does our country prevent us from practicing our faith?".