Melani Manel Perera

On the 8th of June, the parish of St. Anthony of Battuluoya celebrates its centenary. From 20 to 26 May, a group of 12 religious of the Holy Family of Colombo visited all Catholic families in the parish. Thanks to the missionary gesture hundreds of people have drawn closer to the Church, the sacraments and the Gospel values .

All parishes in the country are preparing for the moment of global prayer which will take place tomorrow simultaneously. Speaking to AsiaNews, the testimonies of Catholics in Sri Lanka who have changed thanks to the Pope’s witness.

The authorities in Colombo make public the data on obesity in the country. An expert from the government denounces the lack of nutritional education. In June, national nutrition month begins.

The Ven Bowatte Indrarathana Thero was cremated yesterday in a solemn ceremony amidst tight security. Some in the country said they understood his action even though it was de facto against religious freedom. Others said his action was not worth it, expressing fear that it might lead to copycats. For many ordinary Sri Lankans, instead of self-immolating the venerable should have opposed the killing that took place during the country's civil war.

A seminar organised by the Women's Action for Social Justice highlights the difficulties still facing the country, delivers a petition with 10,000 signatures asking the UN to intervene on behalf of women and workers.

With the help of the Indian High Commission, the Sri Lankan government continues its three-year plan to re-house IDPs. The Indian High Commissioner and Sri Lanka's Economic Development Minister launch the project, "an unprecedented humanitarian action," in the east of the island.

The government told its employees not to participate in yesterday's protest against high prices. For the unions, it was a "success" because it showed the central government's weakness.

Various ceremonies and cultural activities are scheduled for the 21-27 May festival, which marks Buddhism's most important religious event, the commemoration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.

Known by the initials KP, Selvarasa Kumaran Pathmanathen opens a hostel for children victims of the civil war. "Education," he says, "is the only way to help them overcome their trauma." Released from prison last October, he is still wanted by Interpol.

Initiative launched by the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (Paffrel), an NGO that campaigns to ensure democratic elections. Next September , the Northern Province votes to elect the new local administration.

Fr Nandana Manatunge, of the diocese of Kandy, took 45 Buddhist war widows on a trip to their religion's sacred city, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After almost a quarter of a century, their husbands, sons and relatives are still missing. Most of the pilgrims had never been to Anuradhapura.

Thousands of young people stage a peaceful demonstration to show their desire to rid the country of ethnic and religious hatred. Recent acts of violence and persecution by Buddhist radical groups have raised concerns among the population.